Time-resolved double-resonance spectroscopy: Lifetime measurement of the electronic state of molecular sodium.

We report on the lifetime measurement of the state of Na molecules, produced in a heat-pipe oven, using a time-resolved spectroscopic technique. The level was populated by two-step two-color double resonance excitation via the intermediate state. The excitation scheme was done using two synchronized pulsed dye lasers pumped by a Nd:YAG laser operating at the second harmonics.