Experimental Study of the NaK 3(1)Pi State

Experimental studies of the NaCs 5(3)Π0 and 1(a)3Σ+ states

We report high resolution measurements of 372 NaCs 5(3)Π(0)(v, J) ro-vibrational level energies in the range 0 ≤ v ≤ 22. The data have been used to construct NaCs 5(3)Π(0) potential energy curves using the Rydberg-Klein-Rees and inverted perturbation approximation methods. Bound-free 5(3)Π(0)(v, J) → 1(a)(3)Σ(+) emission has also been measured, and is used to determine the repulsive wall of the 1(a)(3)Σ(+) state and the 5(3)Π(0) → 1(a)(3)Σ(+) relative transition dipole moment function. Hyperfine structure in the 5(3)Π(0) state has not been observed in this experiment. This null result is explained using a simple vector coupling model.

Ab initio and long-range investigation of the Ω((+∕-)) states of NaK dissociating adiabatically up to Na(3s 2S(1/2)) + K(3d 2D(3/2))

A theoretical investigation of the electronic structure of the NaK molecule including spin-orbit effects has been performed for the 34 Ω((+∕-)) states dissociating adiabatically into the limits up to Na(3s(2)S(1/2)) + K(3d(2)D(3/2)) from both an ab initio approach and a long-range model. Equilibrium distances, transition energies, harmonic frequencies as well as depths of wells and heights of humps are reported for all the states. Formulas for calculating the long-range energies for all the 0(+∕-), 1, 2, and 3 states under investigation are also displayed. They are expressed in terms of the C(n) (n = 6,8, ...) long-range coefficients and exchange integrals for the (2S+1)Λ((+)) parent states, available from literature. As present data could help experimentalists we make available extensive tables of energy values versus internuclear distances in our database at the web address: http://www-lasim.univ-lyon1.fr/spip.php?rubrique99.

Collisional transfer of population and orientation in NaK

Collisional satellite lines with |ΔJ| ≤ 58 have been identified in recent polarization spectroscopy V-type optical-optical double resonance (OODR) excitation spectra of the Rb(2) molecule [H. Salami et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 022515 (2009)]. Observation of these satellite lines clearly requires a transfer of population from the rotational level directly excited by the pump laser to a neighboring level in a collision of the molecule with an atomic perturber. However to be observed in polarization spectroscopy, the collision must also partially preserve the angular momentum orientation, which is at least somewhat surprising given the extremely large values of ΔJ that were observed. In the present work, we used the two-step OODR fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy techniques to obtain quantitative information on the transfer of population and orientation in rotationally inelastic collisions of the NaK molecules prepared in the 2(A)(1)Σ(+)(v' = 16, J' = 30) rovibrational level with argon and potassium perturbers. A rate equation model was used to study the intensities of these satellite lines as a function of argon pressure and heat pipe oven temperature, in order to separate the collisional effects of argon and potassium atoms. Using a fit of this rate equation model to the data, we found that collisions of NaK molecules with potassium atoms are more likely to transfer population and destroy orientation than collisions with argon atoms. Collisions with argon atoms show a strong propensity for population transfer with ΔJ = even. Conversely, collisions with potassium atoms do not show this ΔJ = even propensity, but do show a propensity for ΔJ = positive compared to ΔJ = negative, for this particular initial state. The density matrix equations of motion have also been solved numerically in order to test the approximations used in the rate equation model and to calculate fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy line shapes. In addition, we have measured rate coefficients for broadening of NaK 3(1)Π ← 2(A)(1)Σ(+)spectral lines due to collisions with argon and potassium atoms. Additional broadening, due to velocity changes occurring in rotationally inelastic collisions, has also been observed.

Potential Energy Curves of Some Electronic Excited States of Metal Diatomic Molecules Using the Energy Consistent Method

An analytical five-term expansion potential is suggested to improve the recently proposed energy consistent method (ECM) potential based on a three-term expansion [Weiguo Sun, Mol. Phys. 92, 105 (1997) and Weiguo Sun and Hao Feng, J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 32, 5109 (1999)]. Applications of the new ECM to the electronic excited state 3(1)Pi of NaK, the excited state 2(3)Sigma(+)(g) of Na(2), and the excited states 3(1)Sigma(+)(u) and 3(1)Pi(u) of K(2) molecules show that the new ECM potential not only agrees excellently with the known Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) data or accurate configuration interaction (CI) studies but also gives the potential data at the molecular asymptote and the dissociation region where experimental and quantum mechanical studies may have difficulties. The new ECM can correct the artifact which appeared in the three-term expansion potentials of both the previous ECM and the Huxley-Murrell-Sorbie (HMS) potential and can describe some states to which both the previous ECM and the HMS fail. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Potential Energies, Permanent and Transition Dipole Moments for Numerous Electronic Excited States of NaK

Recent experimental works have been devoted to the spectroscopy of highly excited states of NaK, confirming the accuracy of our previous calculations [S. Magnier and Ph. Millié, Phys. Rev. A: Gen. Phys. 54, 204 (1996)] of spectroscopic constants and potential curves. Among them, [E. Laub, I. Mazsa, S. C. Webb, J. La Civita, I. Prodan, Z. J. Zabbour, R. K. Namiotka, and J. Huennekens, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 193, 376 (1999)] have deduced from their measurements the variation of the transition dipole moment with the interatomic distance for the transition X(1)Sigma+ --> (3)(1)Pi. They have shown that a large discrepancy was observed with the previous ab initio calculations currently used as a guide for spectroscopic experiments. Upon request of several experimentalists, we have computed again potential curves for electronic states correlated up to Na(4p) + K(4s) as well as relevant permanent and transition dipole moments. We present extensive predictions for the electronic structure of NaK (potential energies, dipole moments) for which numerical data have been listed in a data base available as supplementary data. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.