The photoionization cross sections of the Rg*2[3Σ+u] excimer states for Ne*2, Ar*2, and Kr*2

Based on the recently determined Rydberg series of the³ excimer states of Ne*2, Ar*2and Kr*2, the photoionization cross sections of these molecules are calculated using a single-channel quantum defect method. These cross sections are found to differ considerably from those of the asymptotic metastable atomic Rg*( ) states, but are in good agreement with recently reported experiments at isolated wavelengths. The implications of these results for VUV and XUV lasers are discussed.