Articles you may be interested inPredissociative linewidths of (4pσ) M 2Σ+ (v=1) and (3dσ,π) H 2Σ+, H' 2Π (v=2) Rydberg states of NO studied by the twocolor laserinduced grating technique J. Chem. Phys. 102, 9174 (1995); 10.1063/1.468866 Resonant multiphoton ionization dynamics of N2 via the a 1Π g (v=10-14) states: Preparation of state selected N+ 2 X 2Σ+ g (v +=0-4) ions J. Chem. Phys. 95, 7823 (1991); 10.1063/1.461311 Weak predissociation of the EF, GK, and H 1Σ+ g states of the H2 molecule by nonadiabatic coupling with the electronic ground state J. Chem. Phys. 93, 4958 (1990); 10.1063/1.458633Predissociation spectroscopy of O+ 2: a 4Π u (v′′=6-11)→b 4Σ− g (v′=5-9)Predissociation of the (v = 7 -1 0) levels of the a 1 II g state in N2 is studied with translational spectroscopy. These levels are produced by the charge-transfer neutralization of a 4 ke V energy Nt beam in sodium vapor and the dissociation fragments are monitored by a time-and position-sensitive detector. Lifetimes of 300, 300, 100, and 230 (±20) ns are measured for a lIIcCv =7,8,9, and 10), respectively. Quantum mechanical calculations based on Fermi's golden rule give evidence that the predissociation is' caused by direct coupling to the continuum of the A I 5I; state rather than by an indirect mechanism. The a 1 II g -A' 5I; electronic coupling matrix element is estimated to be 0.44 (±0.03) cm -1. The required change in spin multiplicity suggests that this coupling arises from a spin-spin interaction.