Optical transitions from the chlorine 0+u(3P2) ion-pair state Original Research Article

Bound–bound 0+u(3P2)→X0+g and bound-free 0+u(3P2)→(2,3,4)0+g luminescence spectra of molecular chlorine have been measured in the 210–330 nm spectral range after OODR excitation. The relative dipole moment functions of the transitions as well as potential energy curves of the repulsive 0+g states correlated with the Cl(2P3/2) + Cl(2P3/2), Cl(2P1/2) + Cl(2P3/2) and Cl(2P1/2) + Cl(2P1/2) dissociation limits have been determined for the first time. The functions of the 0+u(3P2)–X0+g, 0+u(3P2)–(3)0+g and 0+u(3P2)–(4)0+g transition have unusual forms. Possible electronic configurations of the states combined in the optical transitions have been discussed.