Knowledge Bank

The photo dissociation of the lithium molecule is studied theoretically. Detailed calculations are presented of the oscillator strengths for the $X1\Sigma g\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">+</mrow>}-A1\Sigma u\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">+</mrow>}$ and $X1\Sigma g\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">+</mrow>}-B1\Pi u$ transitions which show chat direct photo-dissociation into the vibrational continuum of the excited state is negligible as is spontaneous radiative dissociation following discrete absorption. We argue that photodissociation occurs mostly by discrete absorption into the $A1\Sigma u\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">+</mrow>}$ state followed by nonradiative transitions into the $b3\Pi u$ and $a3\Sigma u\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">+</mrow>}$ states. A theoretical description of the dissociation mechanism is given.