Determination of the dipole polarizabilities ofH2+(0,0)andD2+(0,0)by microwave spectroscopy of high-LRydberg states ofH2andD2

Abstract

The fine-structure intervals separating n=9 and 10, L=5{endash}8 Rydberg levels of H{sub 2} and D{sub 2}, bound to the v=0,R=0 ground states of H{sub 2}{sup +} and D{sub 2}{sup +}, are measured with microwave spectroscopy and used to determine the isotropic dipole polarizabilities of both ion ground states. The results {alpha}{sub s}(H{sub 2}{sup +})=3.1659(8)a{sub 0}{sup 3} and {alpha}{sub s}(D{sub 2}{sup +})=3.0667(8)a{sub 0}{sup 3} are more precise than existing theoretical predictions, and their explanation will pose a substantial challenge to the theory of this fundamental ion. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}