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Issue Eur. Phys. J. D
Volume 26, Number 2, October II 2003
Page(s) 173 - 185
Section Molecular Physics and Chemical Physics
DOI 10.1140/epjd/e2003-00221-7
Published online 22 July 2003

Eur. Phys. J. D 26, 173-185 (2003)
DOI: 10.1140/epjd/e2003-00221-7

Observation of the long-range potential well of the $\mathsf{(6)^1\Sigma^+_g(3s+5s)}$ state of Na $\mathsf$

T. Laue1, P. Pellegrini2, O. Dulieu2, C. Samuelis1, H. Knöckel1, F. Masnou-Seeuws2 and E. Tiemann1

1  Institut für Quantenoptik, Universität Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover, Germany
2  Laboratoire Aimé Cotton, CNRS, Campus d'Orsay, Bâtiment 505, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France

dulieu@lac.u-psud.fr
tiemann@iqo.uni-hannover.de

(Received 5 March 2003 Published online 22 July 2003 )

Abstract
We report on the first observation of the outer well of the $(6)^1\Sigma^+_g$ state of Na 2 molecule. The levels are populated in a molecular beam experiment with a three step laser excitation. The fact that these levels predissociate allows an almost background free detection by the appearance of atomic fluorescence. With this method almost all vibrational levels of the outer well are observed. The corresponding predissociation line widths show an oscillating behaviour. The theoretical description of the predissociation is presented in the framework of mapped Fourier grid Hamiltonian representation with optical potential, involving two coupled electronic states. Combining the spectroscopic information on energy positions and predissociation widths, a Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential curve is given for the outer well. Such a state could offer a reliable path for photoassociation of cold Na atoms and formation of ultracold Na 2 molecules.

PACS
33.80.Gj - Diffuse spectra; predissociation, photodissociation.
31.50.Gh - Surface crossings, non-adiabatic couplings.
42.62.Fi - Laser spectroscopy.

© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2003


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