Assignment of the diabatic and adiabatic atomic asymptotic limits of K2 Rydberg states

Abstract

In order to make an unambiguous assignment of the atomic asymptotic limits for the previously observed Rydberg states of K2, two more low-lying Rydberg states (one 1Δg state and one 1Πg state), were observed with sub-Doppler resolution using cw optical–optical double resonance spectroscopy. The correlation of the molecular Rydberg states with the diabatic and adiabatic atomic limits, the quantum defects, and the diabatic and adiabatic dissociation energies are discussed and the principal quantum number assignment of Broyer et al. reinforced.