M.L. Niu, E.J. Salumbides, W. Ubachs
Precision measurements are performed on highly excited vibrational quantum states of molecular hydrogen. The v = 12, J = 0 - 3 rovibrational levels of H2 (X 1 Σ g +), lying only 2000 cm-1 below the first dissociation limit, were populated by photodissociation of H2S and their level energies were accurately determined by two-photon Doppler-free spectroscopy. A comparison between the experimental results on v = 12 level energies with the best ab initio calculations shows a good agreement, where the present experimental accuracy of 3.5 × 10-3 cm-1 is more precise than theory, hence providing a gateway to further test theoretical advances in this benchmark quantum system. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
Department of Physics and Astronomy and LaserLaB, VU University, De Boelelaan 1081, Amsterdam, 1081, Netherlands; Department of Physics, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines
