Phys. Rev. A 84, 20501 (2011).

Double resonance spectroscopy via the EF 1 ⌺ g + , EF Ј =6,JЈ state has been used to probe the rovibrational structure of the ungerade double-well BЉB 1 ⌺ u + state of H 2 . Transitions to the BЉB 1 ⌺ u + , B = 17− 35, J =0−4 levels of the outer-well and to the B Љ B = 46− 50, J =0−4 levels of the combined inner and outer wells above the barrier have been recorded by detecting both molecular and atomic ion production as a function of energy by using a time of flight mass spectrometer. Theoretical energy calculations incorporating the most recent potential curves have been used to aid in the assignment of observed transitions. Over 70 new rovibrational term energies are reported. Where comparisons are possible, good agreement is observed between the experimental measurements reported here and those of previous measurements. While significant perturbations are observed in the energy region above the double-well barrier, assignments to states with dominant inner and outer-well characteristics can still be made. Distinct dynamical behaviors of the levels below, at, and above the barrier have also been observed.

Double-resonance laser spectroscopy via the EF (1)Σg (+),v(')=6,J(')=0-2 state was used to probe the high vibrational levels of the B('')B̄ (1)Σu (+) state of molecular hydrogen. Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra were recorded by detecting ion production as a function of energy using a time of flight mass spectrometer. New measurements of energies for the v = 51-66 levels for the B('')B̄ state of H2 are reported, which, taken with previous results, span the v = 46-69 vibrational levels. Results for energy levels are compared to theoretical close-coupled calculations [L. Wolniewicz, T. Orlikowski, and G. Staszewska, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 238, 118-126 (2006)]. The average difference between the 84 measured energies and calculated energies is -3.8 cm(-1) with a standard deviation of 5.3 cm(-1). This level of agreement showcases the success of the theoretical calculations in accounting for the strong rovibronic mixing of the (1)Σu (+) and (1)Πu (+) states. Due to the ion-pair character of the outer well, the observed energies of the vibrational levels below the third dissociation limit smoothly connect with previously observed energies of ion-pair states above this limit. The results provide an opportunity for testing a heavy Rydberg multi-channel quantum defect analysis of the high vibrational states below the third dissociation limit.

The incandescent bulb has been a useful tool for teaching basic electrical circuits, as brightness is related to the current or power flowing through a bulb. This has led to the development of qualitative pedagogical treatments for examining resistive combinations in simple circuits using bulbs and batteries, which were first introduced by James Evans and thoroughly expanded upon by McDermott and others. This paper argues that replacing bulbs with small computer fans leads to similar, if not greater, insight of experimental results that can be qualitatively observed using a variety of senses. The magnitude of current through a fan is related to the frequency of the rotating fan blades, which can be seen, heard, and felt by the students. Experiments using incandescent bulbs only utilize vision, which is not ideal as the human eyes’ perception of brightness is skewed because the response to light intensity is logarithmic rather than linear.

Teaching simple circuits and Ohm’s law to students in the introductory classroom has been extensively investigated through the common practice of using incandescent light bulbs to help students develop a conceptual foundation before moving on to quantitative analysis. However, the bulb filaments’ resistance has a large temperature dependence, which makes them less suitable as a tool for quantitative analysis. Some instructors show that light bulbs do not obey Ohm’s law either outright or through inquiry-based laboratory experiments. Others avoid the subject altogether by using bulbs strictly for qualitative purposes and then later switching to resistors for a numerical analysis, or by changing the operating conditions of the bulb so that it is “barely” glowing. It seems incongruous to develop a conceptual basis for the behavior of simple circuits using bulbs only to later reveal that they do not follow Ohm’s law. Recently, small computer fans were proposed as a suitable replacement of bulbs for qualitative analysis of simple circuits where the current is related to the rotational speed of the fans. In this contribution, we demonstrate that fans can also be used for quantitative measurements and provide suggestions for successful classroom implementation.

The energies of several highly excited levels of the B1Σ+u, B′1Σ+u and C 1Πu states of molecular hydrogen, located several hundred wave numbers below the second dissociation limit, have been measured using two-colour, resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization. The states were probed by excitation from the double-well E, F 1Σ+u state, populated by two-photon excitation from the ground state. Ion production was detected as a function of wavelength using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Non-adiabatic couplings extensively mix the configurations of the B 1Σ+u, B′1Σ+u and C 1Πu states leading to perturbations that are predicted to vary considerably as a function of rotational and vibrational excitation. Term energies are compared to previous measurements and to ab initio theoretical calculations which include non-adiabatic effects. Several observed discrepancies with the calculations and previously reported energies are discussed. Term energies for two rovibronic levels are reported for the first time.

Double-resonance laser spectroscopy via the state was used to probe the energy region below the third dissociation limit of molecular hydrogen. Resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization spectra were recorded by detecting ion production as a function of energy using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Energies and line widths for the v = 14–17 levels of the state of H2 are reported and compared to experimental data obtained by using VUV synchrotron light excitation (Dickenson et al 2010 J. Chem. Phys. 133 144317) and fully ab initio non-adiabatic calculations of state energies and line widths (Glass-Maujean et al 2012 Phys. Rev. A 86 052507). Several high vibrational levels of the state were also observed in this region. Term energies and rotational constants for the v = 67–69 vibrational levels are reported and compared to highly accurate ro-vibrational energy level predictions from fully ab initio non-adiabatic calculations of the first six levels of H2 (Wolniewicz et al 2006 J. Mol. Spectrosc. 238 118). While additional observed transitions can be assigned to other states, several unassigned features in the spectra highlight the need for a fully integrated theoretical treatment of dissociation and ionization to understand the complex pattern of highly vibrationally excited states expected in this region.

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