[Collisional excitation transfer between Na2(B 1pi(u)) and Na2(2 1sigma(g)+)].

The B 1pi(u) electronic state of Na2 was excited by the 441.6 nm He-Cd laser line. The Na atomic transitions and the A 1sigma(u)+ --> X 1sigma(g)+ band of Na2 were recorded. From the intensities and spectra of the Na and Na2 fluorescence several collisional processes in the excited sodium atom-dimer system were identified. The Na atomic lines are the result of collisional energy transfer from Na2 (B 1pi(u)) to Na(3P). Predissociation process may also contribute to atomic fluorescence. The A 1sigma(u)+ --> X 1sigma(g)+ band is interpreted through a populating mechanism involving collisional transfer from B 1pi(u) to 2 1sigma(g)+ followed by a radiative transfer to the A 1sigma(u)+ state. From the decay constants and fluorescence intensities, the rate coefficient at 360 degrees C for collisional energy transfer from Na2 (B 1pi(u)) to Na2 (2 1sigma(g)+) was found to be 5.7 x 10(-10) cm3 x s(-1). The predissociation rate of the B 1pi(u) is 2.7 x 10(6) s(-1).