Multiphoton ionization of transient species in supersonic jets

A series of experiments utilizing mass-resolved multiphoton ionization to study NO diluted into supersonic beams of rare gases is presented. The sensitivity of the technique is demonstrated by the detection of 10 to the 3d to 10 to the 4th molecules of the rare isotopic combination N(15)O(18) in its natural abundance. New results are given on the spectroscopy and photophysics of the Ar-NO, Kr-NO, and Xe-NO van der Waals molecules present in the beam. Finally, the addition of an electron beam or glow discharge at the orifice of the supersonic nozzle results in the formation of metastable rare gas atoms, sputtered metal atoms, and vibrationally hot NO molecules.