The collisional energy transfer between the D1Π and d3Π states of the NaK dimer induced by argon buffer gas

1 Π→X¹Σ⁺ transitions and the continuum spectrum of d³Π→a³Σ⁺ transitions of the NaK dimer in a heat pipe could be observed in the range of 500–700 nm. The collision-induced enhancement effects of the intensities I_d→a and the quenching effect of the intensities I_D→X by collisions with argon buffer gas at different pressures were measured experimentally. Based on the stationary collisional model and lifetime measurements, the quenching cross sections and cross sections for collision-induced energy transfer between the D¹Π and d³Π states could be estimated. Received: 13 January 1997/Revised version: 20 October 1997