Photoassociative spectroscopy of pure long-range molecules

We have experimentally studied the “pure long-range” state, 0 _g ^? , of³⁹K₂ for the first time by high resolution photoassociative spectroscopy of ultracold potassium atoms. Well-resolved vibrational levels have yielded molecular constants for this state. Analytical expressions for the potential energy curves of the two pure long-range states, 0 _g ^? and 1 _u , are obtained. All the available theoretical and experimental molecular constants of the three special long-range potentials with extrema for all the alkali metals are summarized.