Resonance-ionization detection of photons of sodium atoms in an argon atmosphere

The authors study the feasibility of designing and using resonance-ionization photodetectors with open low-temperature flow cells in a laser spectrometer for the spectral investigation of metal vapors. As an example they use an argon-ventilated cell containing vapors of sodium atoms. This paper describes the experimental setup, comprised of a nitrogen laser, two dye lasers, and the candidate photodetector, and discusses data on the photoionization, resonance absorption, and absorption lines of the atoms as well as the optics and performance of the system