Dynamics of production of iodine atoms by dissociation of iodides in a pulsed self-sustained discharge

Absorption at the laser transition has been used for the first time to assess the evolution of concentration of iodine atoms in a pulsed self-sustained discharge in mixtures of iodides with a buffer gas such as molecular nitrogen and helium. Dynamics of the iodine atom production is studied by the method of absorption spectroscopy. The dissociation of C_nF_2n+1I and CnH_2n+1I (n = 1, 2) iodides is investigated. The energy required to produce atomic iodine is evaluated. The experimental data obtained for CF₃I are compared with the results of numerical simulations, their reasonable agreement being demonstrated.