Theoretical studies of diatomic laser candidates. Final report, September 26, 1976-September 30, 1978

Calculations were undertaken to predict whether 1S self-quenching collisions in oxygen and sulfur would significantly affect the storage times for a proposed Group VI laser. Potential curves including Rydberg and ion pair as well as valence states for both O2 and S2 were surveyed. In both systems, the only curves that cross the incoming channel are the 3PI/sub g/ and 3Σ/sub g/- ion pairs, which are linked to the 1Σ/sub g/+ symmetry of the initial channel by the spin orbit operator. Evaluation of the appropriate matrix element together with the use of the approximate Landau-Zener theory indicates that the rate for self-quenching in both oxygen and sulfur is < < 10-12 cm3 sec-1 molec-1. Thus one would not expect 1S self-quenching to affect storage times