Pure Long-Range Molecules

Abstract

We describe a new type of molecular electronic state in which all vibrational levels occur entirely at internuclear distances large compared to ordinary chemical-bond lengths. We present explicit calculations for two such electronic states of ${0}_{\mathrm{g}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${1}_{\mathrm{u}}$ symmetry in the ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ molecule which are near the $\mathrm{Na}(3{P}_{\frac{3}{2}})+\mathrm{Na}(3{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})$ dissociation asymptote. We feel experimental observation of such levels is possible.