Ion-dip and laser photoexcitation spectroscopy of high Rydberg states in N2
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: N2 molecules in pulsed supersonic beams have been laser photoexcited from their X Σg+1 ground electronic state to selected singlet np and nf Rydberg states using a (2 + 1') two-color three-photon excitation scheme. This required the competition between (2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and (2 + 1') Rydberg state photoexcitation to be carefully balanced. This was achieved by performing ion-dip spectroscopy in which the signal from the N2+ cations generated by direct photoionization was selectively detected and seen to reduce under conditions in which the predissociative np Rydberg states, or long-lived nf Rydberg states, were populated. The predissocation rates of the np Rydberg states were determined from the n-dependence of the spectral widths of the transitions to them. The long-lived Rydberg states populated by excitation on nf resonances are suitable for deceleration and electrostatically trapping cold samples of N2 using inhomogeneous electric fields.
Source: The Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI: 10.1063/5.0261373
Authors: M. H. Rayment, S. D. Hogan
Institution: University College London
Language: English
Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W4409270717