Upper bound to the ionization energy of85Rb2

Abstract

We report an upper bound to the ionization energy of 85 Rb2 of 31 348.0(6) cm −1 , which also provides a lower bound to the dissociation energy D0 of 85 Rb + 2 of 6 307.5(6) cm −1. These bounds were measured by the onset of autoionization of excited states of 85 Rb2 below the 5s+7p atomic limit. We form 85 Rb2 molecules via photoassociation of ultracold 85 Rb atoms, and subsequently excite the molecules by single-photon ultraviolet transitions to states above the ionization threshold.

High-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg molecular states of Rb285 near the 5s+7p asymptote

“…The general design of our experiment is similar to our earlier work [15,16]. Specific details relevant to the present work will be expanded below.…”

“…The 3 Σ + g potential that we used to calculate these FCFs, from Ref. [15], is not calculated in a spin-orbit coupled basis, and thus has inherent inaccuracies when compared to empirical data. The spin-orbit splitting between the 7p 1/2 and 7p 3/2 in 85 Rb is 35 cm −1 , so we should expect uncertainties of that scale.…”

Up and away in the potential landscape of diatomic molecule potential energy curves

“…We are studying the p Rydberg electron states for low n = 7-12, [75,85], for which an additional p-wave term in the potential is needed. For the 7p case, we have an ab initio potential with a minimum ~ 160 cm -1 deep at an internuclear distance of ~35 a o .…”

A model for charge transfer in ultracold Rydberg ground-state atomic collisions

“…Inset shows avoided crossing at Rc = 116.2, along with non-adiabatic coupling matrix element between Rb(5s)+Rb(7p)/ion pair channels. Rb(5s)+Rb(6p), Rb(5p)+Rb(5p), and ion pair curves taken from Rb(5s)+Rb(6p), Rb(5p)+Rb(5p), Rb(5s)+Rb(7p), and ion pair curves taken from[17] [23]. Ion pair curve is fitted to…”