Ultra-violet-laser-induced chemiluminescence of NaCd and NaHg excimers

A single line UV Ar^{+ +} laser has been used for the photochemical production of NaCd and NaHg excimers, detected by their characteristic bound-free emission in the blue spectral region. Selected laser lines excited specific levels in the C ¹Π_u electronic state of the Na₂ molecule. The chemical reaction of the excited sodium dimer with Cd or Hg atoms produced NaCd and NaHg excimers. We suggest a simple model for the explanation of the observed spectra, based on recent ab initio theoretical calculations.