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The 3³Πgg state of the dicarbon molecule, C2, has been identified for the first time by a combination of resonant ionization spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and high-level ab initio quantum chemical calculations. This marks the discovery of the final valence triplet state of C2 spectroscopically accessible from the lowest triplet state. It is found to be vibronically coupled to the recently discovered 4³Πgg state, necessitating vibronic calculations beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation to reconcile calculated rotational constants with observations. The 3³Πgg state of C2 is observed to have a much shorter fluorescence lifetime than expected, possibly pointing to predissociation by coupling to the unbound d³Πgg state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the dynamics of multiphoton excitation and dissociation of NO2 at wavelengths between 395 and 420 nm and intensities between 4 and 10 TW cm-2. The breakup of the molecule is monitored by NO A 2Σ+n′=1,0→X 2Πrn″=0 fluorescence as a function of time delay between the driving field and a probe field which depletes the emission. It is found that generation of n′=0 and 1 NO A 2Σ+ results in different fluorescence modulation patterns due to the intense probe field. The dissociation dynamics are interpreted in terms of nuclear motions over light-induced potentials formed by coupling of NO2 valence and Rydberg states to the applied field. Based on this model, it is argued that the time and intensity dependences of A 2Σ+n′=0→X 2Πrn″=0 fluorescence are consistent with delayed generation of NO A 2Σ+n′=0 via a light-induced bond-hardening brought about by the transient coupling of the dressed à 2B2 and Rydberg 3sσ 2Σg+ states of the parent molecule. The increasingly prompt decay of A 2Σ+n′=1→X 2Πrn″=0 fluorescence with increasing intensity, on the other hand, is consistent with a direct surface crossing between the X 2A1 and 3sσ 2Σg+ dressed states to generate vibrationally excited products. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]