Spectroscopical characterization of CdNe van der Waals complex in the [formula omitted] Rydberg state

Abstract

The lowest E1( 3Σ +) Rydberg state of the CdNe van der Waals complex was investigated by an optical–optical double resonance method. The A0 +( 3Π) and B1( 3Σ +) states were used as intermediates in the excitation from the X0 +( 1Σ +) ground state. Bound–bound excitation spectra of the E1←A0 + transition were recorded. They constitute a first observation of CdNe in the E1 state. Spectroscopical parameters of the E1-state potential well were determined. In the excitation spectrum of the E1←B1 transition, a nodal structure of bound-free transitions was observed and elucidated by a projection of the B1-state vibrational wave-function onto the E1-state potential barrier according to the prediction of ab initio calculations.