The 2 3Π<i>g</i> and 3 3Π<i>g</i> states of 7Li2: Optical–optical double resonance spectroscopy and <i>ab</i> <i>initio</i> calculations

Abstract

The (2p+2p) 2 3Πg and (2s+3p) 3 3Πg states of 7Li2 have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Vibrational levels v=0–41 of the 2 3Πg state and v=6–10 of the 3 3Πg state have been observed by perturbation facilitated optical–optical double resonance (PFOODR) spectroscopy. Our ab initio calculations show that the 2 3Πg state, although dissociating into 2p+2p atomic limit, is a Rydberg state and strongly mixed with the (2s+3p) 3 3Πg and (2s+3d) 4 3Πg Rydberg states. Our theoretical calculations show good agreement with our experimental results.