B1(1)Π state of KCs: high-resolution spectroscopy and description of low-lying energy levels

Long-range interactions between polar bialkali ground-state molecules in arbitrary vibrational levels

We have calculated the isotropic C6 coefficients characterizing the long-range van der Waals interaction between two identical heteronuclear alkali-metal diatomic molecules in the same arbitrary vibrational level of their ground electronic state X(1)Σ(+). We consider the ten species made up of (7)Li, (23)Na, (39)K, (87)Rb, and (133)Cs. Following our previous work [Lepers et al., Phys. Rev. A 88, 032709 (2013)], we use the sum-over-state formula inherent to the second-order perturbation theory, composed of the contributions from the transitions within the ground state levels, from the transition between ground-state and excited state levels, and from a crossed term. These calculations involve a combination of experimental and quantum-chemical data for potential energy curves and transition dipole moments. We also investigate the case where the two molecules are in different vibrational levels and we show that the Moelwyn-Hughes approximation is valid provided that it is applied for each of the three contributions to the sum-over-state formula. Our results are particularly relevant in the context of inelastic and reactive collisions between ultracold bialkali molecules in deeply bound or in Feshbach levels.

Fourier-transform spectroscopy and potential construction of the (2)(1)Π state in KCs

The paper presents an empirical pointwise potential energy curve (PEC) of the (2)(1)Π state of the KCs molecule constructed by applying the Inverted Perturbation Approach routine. The experimental term values in the energy range E(v', J') ∈ [15 407; 16 579] cm(-1) involved in the fit were based on Fourier-Transform spectroscopy data obtained with 0.01 cm(-1) accuracy from the laser-induced (2)(1)Π → X(1)Σ(+) fluorescence spectra. Buffer gas Ar was used to facilitate the appearance of rotation relaxation lines in the spectra, thus enlarging the (2)(1)Π data set and allowing determination of the Λ-splitting constants. The data set included vibrational v' ∈ [0, 28] and rotational J' ∈ [7, 274] quantum numbers covering about 67% of the potential well. The present PEC reproduces the overall set of data included in the fit with a standard deviation of 0.5 cm(-1). The obtained value of the Λ-doubling constant q = + 1.8 × 10(-6) cm(-1) for J' > 50 and v' ∈ [0, 6] is in an excellent agreement with q = + 1.84 × 10(-6) cm(-1) reported in Kim, Lee, and Stolyarov [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 256, 57-67 (2009)].

Fourier-transform spectroscopy and description of low-lying energy levels in the B(1)(1)Π state of RbCs

The Fourier transform spectrometer with resolution of 0.03 cm(-1) was applied to disperse the diode laser induced B(1)(1)Π → X(1)Σ(+) fluorescence spectra of the RbCs molecule in a heat pipe. The presence of buffer gas (Ar) produced in the spectra the dense pattern of collision-induced rotation relaxation lines, thus enlarging the B(1)(1)Π data set, allowing to determine the Λ-splitting constants and to reveal numerous local perturbations. In total, 2664 term values for (85)Rb(133)Cs and (87)Rb(133)Cs in the energy range from 13,770 to 15,200 cm(-1) were obtained with accuracy about 0.01 cm(-1). A pointwise potential energy curve (PEC) based on inverted perturbation approach was constructed in the R-range from 3.35 to 9.00 Å for less perturbed vibrational levels v' ε [0, 35] and compared with ab initio calculations. The data included in the fit were reproduced by present PEC with standard deviation (sd) 0.95 cm(-1). More systematic over rotational levels J(') ε [6, 228] data set was obtained for v' ε [0, 2]. These data were reproduced by the obtained PEC with sd of 0.08 cm(-1). The energy of PEC's minimum Te = 13,746.65 cm(-1), as well as other main molecular constants were determined.

Spectroscopic investigation of the A and 3 1Σ+ states of 39K85Rb

By using a combination of molecular beam (MB) excitation spectra and two distinct ultracold molecule excitation spectra (UM+ and UM-), we have assigned high vibrational levels of the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states from absorption spectra of the mutually strongly perturbed A (1)Σ(+) - 3 (1)Σ(+) - 1 (1)Π - 2 (3)Σ(+) - b (3)Π states of ultracold (39)K(85)Rb molecules in the energy region between 15,116 and 16,225 cm(-1) above the minimum of the ground X (1)Σ(+) state. The ultracold molecules (UM+ and UM-) are formed by radiative decay following photoassociation (PA) to a specific level of the 3(0(+)) state (UM+) or to a specific level of the 3(0(-)) state (UM-). We observe that the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states are observable in the UM+ spectra, but absent from the UM- spectra. This is explained by considering Hund's case (c) selection rules and transition dipole moments between the upper excited A (1)Σ(+) (2(0(+))) state and the three Ω components (0(+), 0(-), and 1) at the ground-state dissociation limit. We propose further investigations of the extended potential wells of the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states by combining short-range MB excitation spectra in a narrow Franck-Condon (FC) window near R(e) of the X (1)Σ(+) state, and long-range UM (and PA) excitation spectra, which have much larger FC windows.