Doppler Line Shape of Atomic Fluorescence of Sodium Iodide

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Abstract
Measurements on the Doppler profiles of the sodium D line atomic fluorescence of sodium iodide which accompanies dissociation of the molecule in the vapor state by polarized ultraviolet light in the 2100–2500‐Å range show no pronounced directional effects. The known hyperfine structure of the sodium states, the response of the measuring instrument, and the experimental uncertainties are taken into account. It is suggested that the upper repulsive state of the dissociating molecule is not necessarily a single state, and that some of these upper states possess minima in which some of the excited molecules are trapped for a short time. The measured Doppler speeds are somewhat less than expected when higher energy ultraviolet photons are used, which may be due to dissociations in which the iodine atom is also excited.