Lyman-alpha fluorescence from hydrogen photofragments of CH4 and H2O

The process of H-Lyman-alpha fluorescence produced through photodissociation of CH4 and H2O provides an example for the usefulness of the detection of fluorescence of dissociation fragments as an aid in identifying some high lying Rydberg states. In the first experiment reported, an electron storage ring synchrotron radiation source was used. The fluorescence produced was detected with a solar blind photomultiplier and a Cs photocathode with a spectral sensitivity in the wavelength range from 1050 to 1950 A. In the second experiment considered, an intense atomic line source was employed.