Cross section σ4D→4F was measured for the collision transfer process of Na(4D) +Na(3S)→Na(4F)+Na(3S).The 4D state is excited by two-photon absorption using a tunable dye laser.Since the 4F→3D fluorescence can not be detected directly with the apparatus used the cascade 3D→3P fluorescence is monitored instead.Then the cross-section σ4D→4F=(1.3±0.3)×10^-14cm^2 is got from the relative intensity of the fluorescence.A theoretical evaluation of σ4D→4F is also given and compared with experimental results.
We measured the cross section for the collision transfer process Na(4D)+Na (3S)Na(4F)+Na(3S). The 4D state was excited by two photon absorption using a tunable dye laser. Since the direct 4F→3D fluorescence can not be detected with our apparatus, we monitored instead the cascade 3D→3P and 4D→3P fluorescence. Relative intensity of the fluorescence, combined with the measurement of sodium density, yielded cross section σ_(4D)→(4F)=1.3×10~(-14)±28%(cm~2). Our result is compared to other experiments.