The fine structure of the first excited states in the rare-gas-alkali ions

Abstract

The spectra emitted in the decay of the first excited states of the (RgA)+ ions with Rg=Ar, Kr or Xe and A=Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs have been investigated. The emission of these excimer-like ions is in the vacuum ultraviolet region and hence they are of interest for possible lasers operating in the VUV. Each ion decays by emission of 3 or 4 continua. Based on recent ab initio calculations by Markert et al. the transitions are assigned to the decay of the Omega =1 and 0+ levels of the (RgA)+ ions correlating with the asymptotic states Rg+(2P32/)+A. In the (ArA)+ ions the doublet expected for the (RgA)+ ions with a Rg+(2P12/)+A asymptotic state was also observed.