Fluorescence spectra of the Cd2 dimer: transitions involving 0u+ and 1u Rydberg states and the lowest excited gerade states

Molecular emission of a dense Cd vapour following strong laser excitation at λ=326.1 nm was discovered in the spectral range of 315–345 nm. Electronic transitions involving two Rydberg states 0u+ and 1u correlated with the asymptotes 61S1 + 51S0 and 63S1 + 51S0 and the lowest gerade excimer states correlated with the 53P0,1,2 + 51S0 asymptotes are identified. Vibrational structures of several v′ progressions are analyzed yielding the spectroscopic constants ωe and ωexe for both of the upper states and for one of the lower states (1g). The shape of the potential energy curves of the previously unobserved upper states are discussed.