Potentials and continuum spectra of Rb-noble gas molecules

Abstract

Rubidium vapor is optically excited by either of the atomic resonance lines in the presence of typically 400 Torr of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, or Xe. Normalized emission spectra of the far wings of these resonance lines are then measured as a function of temperature. These far wings, extending as much as 1000 Å from the resonance lines, are interpreted as molecular continuum radiation of Rb‐noble gas molecules. Using the quasistatic theory of line broadening, or the classical Franck‐Condon principle, these spectra are analyzed to yield the ground and excited state molecular potentials.