| Abstract: | We present a systematic understanding of the rotational structure of a long-range (vibrationally highly-excited) diatomic molecule. For example, we show that depending on a quantum defect, the least-bound vibrational state of a diatomic molecule with -C n /r n (n > 2) asymptotic interaction can have only 1, 2, and up to a maximum of n-2 rotational levels. A classification scheme of diatomic molecules is proposed, in which each class has a distinctive rotational structure and corresponds to different atom-atom scattering properties above the dissociation limit.Received: 15 June 2004, Published online: 28 September 2004PACS: 33.15.Mt Rotation, vibration, and vibration-rotation constants - 34.10. + x General theories and models of atomic and molecular collisions and interactions (including statistical theories, transition state, stochastic and trajectory models, etc.) - 03.75.Nt Other Bose-Einstein condensation phenomena - 03.75.Ss Degenerate Fermi gases |
