Observation of completely destructive quantum interference between interacting resonances in molecular predissociation.
A unique observation is presented of interacting predissociating resonances which exhibit completely destructive interference in a region between the resonances. The use of a double-resonance technique, in which single rotational levels of the b (1)Sigma(+)(g) state of O2, prepared by pumping the magnetic-dipole b <--X transition, are probed by (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton-ionization spectroscopy, eliminates overlapping rotational structure and enables observation of the interference process. Using a diabatic coupled-channel model, the interacting resonances are shown to be derived from the d (1)Pi(g)(v = 3,J = 17) Rydberg and II (1)Delta(g)(v = 6,J = 17) valence states.
Lewis
B R
BR
Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
Gibson
S T
ST
O'Keeffe
P
P
Ridley
T
T
Lawley
K P
KP
Donovan
R J
RJ