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Long-Range Predissociation in Two-Color Photoassociation of Ultracold Na Atoms

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ;  [1]
  1. Debye Institute, Department of Atomic and Interface Physics, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.000, 3508 TA Utrecht (The Netherlands)
We report two-color photoassociative ionization of sodium in a magneto-optical trap. The experimental results yield information on both singly and doubly excited states. We find that the highest bound vibrational levels ({ital v}{approx_gt}20) of the singly excited 0{sub {ital g}}{sup {minus}} state predissociate into the 3{sup 2}{ital P}{sub 3/2}+3{sup 2}{ital S}{sub 1/2}({ital F}{sub {ital g}}=1) dissociation continuum due to avoided crossings of the hyperfine components of this potential with other molecular symmetries. Based on symmetry and energy consideration we argue that a doubly excited 1{sub {ital u}} state remains autoionizing even when only a few GHz above the dissociation continuum. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
OSTI ID:
287001
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 77; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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