Efficient production of electronically excited BiF(AO+) via collisions with NF(a1Δ)

An efficient process for converting the energy stored in electronically excited NF(a1Δ) into blue‐green BiF (AX) band emissions has been discovered. Bismuth atoms are converted to BiF and then repeatedly pumped to the (AO+) state in two steps via collisions with NF(a1Δ). A model has been formulated that predicts BiF emission intensities that are in excellent agreement with the observed values. Some of the rate coefficients required for this model are estimated by means of charge‐transfer theories. The cyclic nature of this system, along with its other basic properties, suggests that it has a strong potential to be an efficient blue‐green laser system.