Formation of ultracold metastable RbCs molecules by short-range photoassociation

Ultracold metastable RbCs molecules are observed in a double species magneto-optical trap through photoassociation near the Rb(5S(1/2)) + Cs(6P(3/2)) dissociation limit followed by radiative stabilization. The molecules are formed in their lowest triplet electronic state and are detected by resonance enhanced two-photon ionization through the previously unobserved (3)(3)Π ← a?(3)Σ(+) band. The large rotational structure of the observed photoassociation lines is assigned to the lowest vibrational levels of the 0(+) or 0(-) excited states correlated to the Rb(5P(1/2)) + Cs(6S(1/2)) dissociation limit. This demonstrates the possibility of inducing direct photoassociation in heteronuclear alkali-metal molecules at a short internuclear distance, as pointed out earlier [J. Deiglmayr et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2008, 101, 13304].     

Structural and spectroscopic study of the LiRb molecule beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation

Adiabatic and diabatic potential energy curves and the permanent and transition dipole moments of the low-lying electronic states of the LiRb molecule dissociating into Rb(5s, 5p, 4d, 6s, 6p, 5d, 7s, 6d) + Li(2s, 2p) have been investigated. The molecular calculations are performed with an ab initio approach based on nonempirical pseudopotentials for Rb(+) and Li(+) cores, parametrized l-dependent core polarization potentials and full configuration interaction calculations. The derived spectroscopic constants (R(e), D(e), T(e), ω(e), ω(e)x(e), and B(e)) of the ground state and lower excited states are in good agreement with the available theoretical works. However, the 8-10(1)Σ(+), 8-10(3)Σ(+), 6(1,3)Π, and 3(1,3)Δ excited states are studied for the first time. In addition, to the potential energy, accurate permanent and transition dipole moments have been determined for a wide interval of internuclear distances. The permanent dipole moment of LiRb has revealed ionic characters both relating to electron transfer and yielding Li(-)Rb(+) and Li(+)Rb(-) arrangements. The diabatic potential energy for the (1,3)Σ(+), (1,3)Π, and (1,3)Δ symmetries has been performed for this molecule for the first time. The diabatization method is based on variational effective Hamiltonian theory and effective metric, where the adiabatic and diabatic states are connected by an appropriate unitary transformation.     

Spectroscopic analysis of the coupled 1(1)Π, 2(3)Σ+ (Ω = 0-, 1), and b(3)Π (Ω = 0±, 1, 2) states of the KRb molecule using both ultracold molecules and molecular beam experiments

We report the spectroscopic characterization of excited electronic states of KRb by combining spectra from molecular beam (MB) experiments with those from ultracold molecules (UM) formed by photoassociation (PA) of ultracold atoms. Spectra involving the 1(1)Π, 2(3)Σ(+), and b(3)Π states in a strongly perturbed region have been identified. This approach provides a powerful method to identify the vibrational levels of the excited electronic states perturbed globally by neighboring electronic states. This is because the two sets of spectra from the UM and the MB experiments probe the same energy region from very different initial electronic states. The UM experiments utilize high v' levels of the a(3)Σ(+) state with large internuclear separations, while the MB experiments utilize low v' levels of the ground X(1)Σ(+) state with near-equilibrium internuclear separations. Only the Ω = 1 levels of the 2(3)Σ(+) and b(3)Π states are observed in the MB spectra, while the Ω = 0(-), 1 levels of the 2(3)Σ(+) state and the Ω = 0(±), 1, 2 levels of the b(3)Π state are observed in the UM spectra.     

Electronic states of MgO: Spectroscopy, predissociation, and cold atomic Mg and O production

We used multiconfigurational methods and a large basis set to compute the potential energy curves of the valence and valence-Rydberg electronic states of MgO molecule. New bound electronic states are found. Using these highly correlated wave functions, we evaluated their mutual spin-orbit couplings and transition moment integrals. For the bound electronic states of MgO, we deduced an accurate set of spectroscopic constants that agree remarkably well with experimental results. Moreover, our potentials, transition moments, and spin-orbit coupling evolutions are incorporated into Fermi golden rule calculations to deduce the radiative lifetimes of MgO(B?(1)Σ(+)) rovibrational levels and the natural lifetimes of MgO(A?(1)Π) vibrational levels, where a good agreement is found with experimental values. Finally, we suggest new routes for the production of cold Mg and O atoms and cold MgO molecules.     

The ν2 bending vibrational structure of the X̃2Σ+ state of MgNC

We have generated MgNC in supersonic free jet expansions and observed the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) of the A?(2)Π-X?(2)Σ(+) transition. We measured the LIF dispersed spectra from the single vibronic levels of the A?(2)Π electronic state of MgNC, following excitation of each ν(2) bending vibronic band observed, i.e., the κ series of the (0,v(2)('),0)-(0,0,0), v(2)(') = 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 vibronic bands. In the vibrational structure in the dispersed fluorescence spectra measured, the long progression of the ν(2) bending mode in the X?(2)Σ(+) state is identified, e.g., up to v(2)(')=14 in the (0,6,0)-(0,v(2)('),0) spectrum. This enables us to derive the potential curve of the ν(2) bending mode in the X?(2)Σ(+) state. We used two kinds of models to obtain the potential curve; (I) the customary formula expressed in the polynomial series of the (v(2)(')+(d(2)/2)) term and (II) the internal rotation model. The potential curve derived from model (I) indicates the convergence of the bending vibrational levels at about 800 cm(-1) from the vibrationless level of MgNC, which may correspond to the barrier height of the isomerization reaction, MgNC ? MgCN, in the X?(2)Σ(+) state. Model (II) gives a simple picture for the isomerization reaction pathway with a barrier height of about 630 cm(-1) from the vibrationless level of the more stable species, MgNC. This shows that the v(2)(')=8 bending vibrational level of MgNC is already contaminated by the v(2)(')=2 bending vibrational level of the isomer, MgCN, and implies that the isomerization reaction begins at the v(2) (')=8 level. The bending potential surface and the isomerization reaction pathway, MgNC ? MgCN, in the X?(2)Σ(+) state are discussed by comparing the potential derived in this study with the surface obtained by quantum chemical calculation.     

Theoretical study of the photodissociation of Li(2)+ in one-color intense laser fields

A theoretical treatment of the photodissociation of the molecular ion Li(2) (+) in one-color intense laser fields, using the time-dependent wave packet approach in a Floquet Born-Oppenheimer representation, is presented. Six electronic states 1,2?(2)Σ(g)(+), 1,2?(2)Σ(u)(+), 1?(2)Π(g), and 1?(2)Π(u) are of relevance in this simulation and have been included. The dependences of the fragmental dissociation probabilities and kinetic energy release (KER) spectra on pulse width, peak intensity, polarization angle, wavelength, and initial vibrational level are analyzed to interpret the influence of control parameters of the external field. Three main dissociation channels, 1?(2)Σ(g)(+) (m = -1), 2?(2)Σ(g)(+) (m = -2), and 2?(2)Σ(u)(+) (m = -3), are seen to dominate the dissociation processes under a wide variety of laser conditions and give rise to well separated groups of KER features. Different dissociation mechanisms for the involved Floquet channels are discussed.     

Deeply bound cold caesium molecules formed after 0(-)(g) resonant coupling

Translationally cold caesium molecules are created by photoassociation below the 6s + 6p(1/2) excited state and selectively detected by resonance enhanced two photon ionization (RE2PI). A series of excited vibrational levels belonging to the 0(-)(g) symmetry is identified. The regular progression of the vibrational spacings and of the rotational constants of the 0(-)(g) (6s + 6p(1/2)) levels is strongly altered in two energy domains. These deviations are interpreted in terms of resonant coupling with deeply bound energy levels of two upper 0(-)(g) states dissociating into the 6s + 6p(3/2) and 6s + 5d(3/2) asymptotes. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the coupling and a quantum defect analysis of the perturbed level position is performed. Moreover, the resonant coupling changes dramatically the spontaneous decay products of the photoexcited molecules, strongly enhancing the decay into deeply bound levels of the a(3)Σ(+)(u) triplet state and of the X(1)Σ(+)(g) ground state. These results may be relevant when conceiving population transferring schemes in cold molecule systems.     

Adiabatic versus diabatic descriptions of the lowest Rydberg and valence 1Σ+ states of HCl

In this contribution we first report new ab initio self-consistent field configuration interaction calculations of the first excited adiabatic potential of (1)Σ(+) symmetry, the 2(1)Σ(+) or B(1)Σ(+) state, which presents two minima and can thus be seen as made up of the Rydberg E(1)Σ(+) and the valence V(1)Σ(+) states. Based on the computed 2(1)Σ(+) potential, we devised a theoretical procedure to compute the vibronic structure in order to try to explain the energy levels observed in the region above 76 254.4 cm(-1) which display an irregular vibrational structure, indicative of spectral perturbations. We try to find out which representation of the electronic states, the diabatic or the adiabatic one, is best suited to replicate the lowest observed vibronic levels of the E and V states. To this end, we deduce, from the 2(1)Σ(+) potential and its complementary adiabatic potential, two diabatic potentials. We then carry out a coupled equation treatment based on these diabatic potentials. The results of this treatment indicate that, in the present case, the adiabatic representation is better than the diabatic one to describe the observed vibronic levels. This is due, as expected, to the existence of a strong electrostatic interaction between the two diabatic potentials.     

Luminescence measurements of Xe(+) + N2 and Xe(2+) + N2 hyperthermal charge transfer collisions

Luminescence spectra are recorded for collisions between Xe(+)/Xe(2+) and molecular nitrogen at energies ranging from 4.5 to 316 eV in the center-of-mass frame. In the Xe(+) + N(2) collision system, evidence for luminescent charge-transfer products is only found through Xe I emission lines. The most intense features of the luminescence spectra are attributed to atomic N emissions observed above ～20 eV. Intense N(2)(+) A (2)Π(u) - X(2)Σ(g)(+) and B(2)Σ(u)(+) - X(2)Σ(g)(+) radiance is observed from Xe(2+) + N(2) collisions. The B state formation cross section decreases with collision energy until 20 eV, after which it becomes independent of impact energy with an approximate value of 3 ?(2). The cross section for N(2) (+) A (ν > 0) formation increases with energy until 20 eV, after which it remains nearly constant at ～1 ?(2). The N(2)(+) product vibrational distributions extracted from the spectra are non-Franck-Condon for both electronic product states at low collision energies. The distributions resemble a Franck-Condon distribution at the highest energies investigated in this work.     

Spectroscopic investigations of ThF and ThF+

The electronic spectra of ThF and ThF(+) have been examined using laser induced fluorescence and resonant two-photon ionization techniques. The results from high-level ab initio calculations have been used to guide the assignment of these data. Spectra for ThF show that the molecule has an X (2)Δ(3/2) ground state. The upper spin-orbit component, X (2)Δ(5/2) was found at an energy of 2575(15) cm(-1). The low-lying states of ThF(+) were probed using dispersed fluorescence and pulsed field ionization-zero kinetic energy (PFI-ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. Vibronic progressions belonging to four electronic states were identified. The lowest energy states were clearly (1)Σ(+) and (3)Δ(1). Although the energy ordering could not be rigorously determined, the evidence favors assignment of (1)Σ(+) as the ground state. The (3)Δ(1) state, of interest for investigation of the electron electric dipole moment, is just 315.0(5) cm(-1) above the ground state. The PFI-ZEKE measurements for ThF yielded an ionization energy of 51 581(3) cm(-1). Molecular constants show that the vibrational constant increases and the bond length shortens on ionization. This is consistent with removal of a non-bonding Th-centered 6d or 7s electron. Laser excitation of ThF(+) was used to probe electronically excited states in the range of 19,000-21,500 cm(-1).     

1 + 1] photodissociation of CS(2)(+)(X̃2Π(g)) via the vibrationally mediated B̃2Σ(u)+ state: multichannels exhibiting and mode specific dynamics

Dissociation dynamics of CS(2)(+) vibrationally mediated via its B?(2)Σ(u)(+) state, was studied using the time-sliced velocity map imaging technique. The parent CS(2)(+) cation was prepared in its X?(2)Π(g) ground state through a [3 + 1] resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization process, via the 4pσ(3)Π(u) intermediate Rydberg state of neutral CS(2) molecule at 483.14 nm. CS(2)(+)(X?(2)Π(g)) was dissociated by a [1?+?1] photoexcitation mediated via the vibrationally selected B? state over a wavelength range of 267-283 nm. At these wavelengths the C?(2)Σ(g)(+) and D?(2)Σ(u)(+) states are excited, followed by numerous S(+) and CS(+) dissociation channels. The S(+) channels specified as three distinct regions were shown with vibrationally resolved structures, in contrast to the less-resolved structures being presented in the CS(+) channels. The average translational energy releases were obtained, and the S(+)∕CS(+) branching ratios with mode specificity were measured. Two types of dissociation mechanisms are proposed. One mechanism is the direct coupling of the C? and D? states with the repulsive satellite states leading to the fast photofragmentation. The other mechanism is the internal conversion of the C? and D? states to the B? state, followed by the slow fragmentation occurred via the coupling with the repulsive satellite states.     

Ab Initio Diabatic energies and dipole moments of the electronic states of RbLi molecule

For all states dissociating below the ionic limit Li^? Rb⁺, we perform a diabatic study for ¹Σ⁺ electronic states dissociating into Rb (5s, 5p, 4d, 6s, 6p, 5d, 7s, 4f) + Li (2s, 2p, 3s). Furthermore, we present the diabatic results for the 1–11 ³σ, 1–8 ^1,3Π, and 1–4 ^1,3Δ states. The present calculations on the RbLi molecule are complementary to previous theoretical work on this system, including recently observed electronic states that had not been calculated previously. The calculations rely on ab‐initio pseudopotential, core polarization potential operators for the core‐valence correlation and full valence configuration interaction approaches, combined to an efficient diabatization procedure. For the low‐lying states, diabatic potentials and permanent dipole moments are analyzed, revealing the strong imprint of the ionic state in the ¹Σ⁺ adiabatic states. The transition dipole moment is used to evaluate the radiative lifetimes of the vibrational levels trapped in the 2 ¹Σ⁺ excited states for the first time. In addition to the bound–bound contribution, the bound–free term has been evaluated using the Franck–Condon approximation and also exactly added to the total radiative lifetime. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Communication: Heavy Rydberg states: the H+H- system

Heavy Rydberg states are analogs of electronic Rydberg states, but with the electron replaced by a much heavier ion. We calculate ab initio the extremely long-range vibrational H(+)H(-) heavy Rydberg states in H(2), and compare these to recent experiments. The calculated resonance positions and widths agree well with experiment, but we predict additional sharp interloper resonances corresponding to vibrational states trapped inside the barrier on potential energy curve 7 (1)Σ(g)(+).     

NFeN结构和性质及反应势能曲线

用B3LYP/6-311+G(d)方法对化合物NFeN弯曲型和直线型的不同自旋多重度多个电子态的几何结构、电子结构、能量和振动光谱进行了计算研究. 结果表明, 单重态中Fe―N键长普遍比三重态和五重态中的短, 在155 pm左右; NFeN三重态电子结构最丰富, 自然键轨道和Mulliken布居显示Fe―N键具有部分离子键特征; 两种结构的所有稳定态中能量最低的是1⁵A₂态, 能量相近的有1³B₁、1³A₂、1³B₂和1¹A₁态, 直线型中能量最低是³Δ_g态; 相对于分子基态反应物Fe(a⁵D)+N₂(X¹Σ_g⁺)所有电子态的能量都偏高, 该反应在热力学上是不利的, 但是对于原子态反应物Fe(a⁵D)+2N(⁴S)则是放热反应; 计算振动频率和强度与实验较吻合的是1³B₁态; 复合物FeN₂与化合物NFeN结构差异明显; Fe原子直接插入N₂分子的势能曲线表明该反应能垒很高, 在动力学上也是不利的.     

New view of the ICN A continuum using photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN-

Negative-ion photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN(-) (X??(2)Σ(+)) reveals transitions to the ground electronic state (X??(1)Σ(+)) of ICN as well as the first five excited states ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), Π(0(-) ) (3), Π(0(+) ) (3), and (1)Π(1)) that make up the ICN A continuum. By starting from the equilibrium geometry of the anion, photoelectron spectroscopy characterizes the electronic structure of ICN at an elongated I-C bond length of 2.65 A?. Because of this bond elongation, the lowest three excited states of ICN ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), and Π(0(-) ) (3)) are resolved for the first time in the photoelectron spectrum. In addition, the spectrum has a structured peak that arises from the frequently studied conical intersection between the Π(0(+) ) (3) and (1)Π(1) states. The assignment of the spectrum is aided by MR-SO-CISD calculations of the potential energy surfaces for the anion and neutral ICN electronic states, along with calculations of the vibrational levels supported by these states. Through thermochemical cycles involving spectrally narrow transitions to the excited states of ICN, we determine the electron affinity, EA(ICN), to be 1.34(5) (+0.04∕-0.02) eV and the anion dissociation energy, D(0)(X??(2)Σ(+) I-CN(-)), to be 0.83 (+0.04/-0.02) eV.     

Formation of ultracold Rb2 molecules in the v' = 0 level of the a(3)Σ+(u) state via blue-detuned photoassociation to the 1(3)Π(g) state

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb(2), in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. (85)Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distance to levels of the 1(3)Π(g) state at a rate of approximately 5 × 10(4) molecules s(-1). We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin-orbit components; 0(+)(g), 0(-)(g), 1(g), and 2(g), including levels of the 0(+)(g) outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a(3)Σ(+)(u) state, some preferentially to the v' = 0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v' = 8 level of the 1(g) component.     

Vibronic coupling in the superoxide anion: the vibrational dependence of the photoelectron angular distribution

We present a comprehensive photoelectron imaging study of the O(2)(X (3)Σ(g)(-),v(')=0-6)←O(2)(-)(X (2)Π(g),v(")=0) and O(2)(a?(1)Δ(g),v(')=0-4)←O(2)(-)(X (2)Π(g),v(")=0) photodetachment bands at wavelengths between 900 and 455 nm, examining the effect of vibronic coupling on the photoelectron angular distribution (PAD). This work extends the v(')=1-4 data for detachment into the ground electronic state, presented in a recent communication [R. Mabbs, F. Mbaiwa, J. Wei, M. Van Duzor, S. T. Gibson, S. J. Cavanagh, and B. R. Lewis, Phys. Rev. A 82, 011401(R) (2010)]. Measured vibronic intensities are compared to Franck-Condon predictions and used as supporting evidence of vibronic coupling. The results are analyzed within the context of the one-electron, zero core contribution (ZCC) model [R. M. Stehman and S. B. Woo, Phys. Rev. A 23, 2866 (1981)]. For both bands, the photoelectron anisotropy parameter variation with electron kinetic energy, β(E), displays the characteristics of photodetachment from a d-like orbital, consistent with the π(g)(?) 2p highest occupied molecular orbital of O(2)(-). However, differences exist between the β(E) trends for detachment into different vibrational levels of the X (3)Σ(g)(-) and a?(1)Δ(g) electronic states of O(2). The ZCC model invokes vibrational channel specific "detachment orbitals" and attributes this behavior to coupling of the electronic and nuclear motion in the parent anion. The spatial extent of the model detachment orbital is dependent on the final state of O(2): the higher the neutral vibrational excitation, the larger the electron binding energy. Although vibronic coupling is ignored in most theoretical treatments of PADs in the direct photodetachment of molecular anions, the present findings clearly show that it can be important. These results represent a benchmark data set for a relatively simple system, upon which to base rigorous tests of more sophisticated models.     

Rotational analysis and deperturbation of the A2Π → X2Σ+ and B'2Σ+ → X2Σ+ emission spectra of MgH

Deperturbation analysis of the A(2)Π → X(2)Σ(+) and B(')(2)Σ(+) → X(2)Σ(+) emission spectra of (24)MgH is reported. Spectroscopic data for the v = 0 to 3 levels of the A (2)Π state and the v = 0 to 4 levels of the B'(2)Σ(+) state were fitted together using a single Hamiltonian matrix that includes (2)Π and (2)Σ(+) matrix elements, as well as off-diagonal elements coupling several vibrational levels of the two states. A Dunham-type fit was performed and the resulting Y(l,0) and Y(l,1) coefficients were used to generate Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) potential curves for the A (2)Π and the B'(2)Σ(+) states. Vibrational overlap integrals were computed from the RKR potentials, and the off-diagonal matrix elements coupling the electronic wavefunctions (a(+) and b) were determined. Zero point dissociation energies (D(0)) of the A(2)Π and B'(2)Σ(+) states of (24)MgH were determined to be 12,957.5 ± 0.5 and 10,133.6 ± 0.5 cm(-1), respectively. Using the Y(0,1) coefficients, the equilibrium internuclear distances (r(e)) of the A(2)Π and B'(2)Σ(+) states were determined to be 1.67827(1) ? and 2.59404(4) A?, respectively.     

Dissociation of vibrational state-selected O2(+) Ions in the B(2)Σ(g)¯ state using threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence velocity imaging

Using the recently developed threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) velocity imaging mass spectrometer (Tang et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum.2009, 80, 113101), dissociation of vibrational state-selected O(2)(+)(B(2)Σ(g)(ˉ), v(+) = 0-6) ions was investigated. Both the speed and angular distributions of the O(+) fragments dissociated from individually vibronic levels of the B(2)Σ(g)(ˉ) state were obtained directly from the three-dimensional time-sliced TPEPICO velocity images. Two dissociation channels, O(+)((4)S) + O((3)P) and O(+)((4)S) + O((1)D), were respectively observed, and their branching ratios were found to be heavily dependent on the vibrational states. A new intersection mechanism was suggested for the predissociation of O(2)(+)(B(2)Σ(g)(ˉ)) ions, especially for dissociation at the energy of the v(+) = 4 level. In addition, the anisotropic parameters for O(+) fragments from different dissociative pathways were determined to be close to zero, indicating that the v(+) = 0-6 levels of B(2)Σ(g)(ˉ) predissociate on a time scale that is much slower than that of molecular rotation.     

Extensive theoretical study on electronically excited states and predissociation mechanisms of sulfur monoxide including spin-orbit coupling

The potential energy curves of the 69 Ω states generated from the 24 Λ-S states of sulfur monoxide are calculated for the first time using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method with the Davidson correction and the entirely uncontracted aug-cc-pV5Z basis set. Spin-orbit coupling is taken into account by the state interaction approach with the full Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. Very good agreement is achieved between our computed spectroscopic properties and the available experimental data. The transition properties of the B(3)Σ(-) -X(3)Σ(-) and (4)1-X0(+) transitions are predicted, and our computed Franck-Condon factors and radiative lifetimes match the experimental results very well. The predissociation mechanisms are investigated, and various new predissociation channels are located. We present a new interpretation on the breaking-off of the rotational levels of the B(3)Σ(-) lower vibrational states observed in experiment, and propose that the predissociation is induced by the Coriolis coupling between the B(3)Σ(-) rovibrational levels and the A(3)Π state. Our calculations indicate that, at ν' = 9, the B(3)Σ(-) state predissociates via the C(3)Π state; around ν' = 14, three spin-orbit-induced predissociation pathways via (1)(5)Σ(+) , (2)(5)Π, and e(1)Π would be open; around ν' = 17, the pathways via (2)(1)Σ(+) , (2)(3)Σ(+) and (2)(5)Σ(+) would contribute. These satisfactorily explain the experimental results about the diffuseness of the B(3)Σ(-) bands. Furthermore, various predissociation pathways of the C'(3)Π state are predicted, through which the C'(3)Π state could predissociate rapidly.