Knowledge Bank

The $X1\Sigma g+(1,J‴)\to A1\Sigma u+(1,J\prime \prime )\to 3\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">1</mrow>}\Sigma g+(0,J\prime )\to nl1\Lambda u+(0,J)$ transition scheme is used to study high n sodium dimer rydberg states. The spectrum is simplest when the intermediate state has $J\prime =0$ which implies $J=1$. Analysis of our data yield an ionization potential of $39478.13\pm 0.03cm-1$, implying a molecular ion dissociation energy of $D00(Na2+)=7914.19\pm 0.03cm-1$. The same transition scheme can be used to detect ultracold ground state molecules $Na2(v=0,J=0)$ and to produce ultracold ground state molecule ions $Na2+(v+=0,N+=0)$.