CAVITY RINGDOWN LASER ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF METAL CLUSTERS

Abstract

The cavity ringdown $method^{1}$ for measuring very small absorptions in a gaseous sample has been adapted for measuring rovibronic spectra of jet cooled metal $clusters^{2}$ and metal-containing molecules. Results will be presented for a variety of systems, including copper and aluminum-containing clusters. Coupled to our ringdown spectrometer is a time-of-flight mass spectrometer which we have constructed to both maximize source designs and to implement in resonant ionization and depletion studies. Our experiments with the ringdown apparatus have yielded results which clearly outline the advantages of direct absorption over other competing and complimentary methods.