Spectroscopic characterization of the potential energy functions of Ne 2 Rydberg states in the vicinity of the Ne( 1S 0) + Ne(4p′) dissociation limits

Abstract

The gerade autoionizing Rydberg states of Ne 2 have been studied in the range 162 000–172 000 cm −1 by 1 + 1′ resonant two-photon excitation from the Ne 2 X 0 g + ground state via different vibrational levels of the Ne 2 C 0 u + state. A rotationally resolved part of the spectrum allowed the determination of the potential energy functions of two states of 1 g and 0 g + characters in the vicinity of the Ne(2p 6 1S 0) + Ne (2p 54p′) dissociation limit. The presence of maxima in these potential energy functions is interpreted as originating from a repulsive interaction between the Rydberg electron and the neutral atom.