Interactions of Ne2 Rydberg states with dissociation and Ne2+ (X2u+, v+=2) ionization continua

Laser excitation (photodissociation) and absorption spectroscopy of Ne2 a3u+ beyond the v+=0 limit of the Ne2+ ground electronic state (X2u+) has revealed several distinct series of Fano-type windows superimposed onto predissociative and absorption continua. Resonances attributed to npa3u+ Rydberg-Rydberg transitions converging to v+=13 of the X2u+ state are observed but apparent windows appear in the a3u+ absorption spectrum only for v+=1 ion core Rydberg states. In contrast, IallR v+=2 and 3 ion core states occur as positive absorptions. Comparison of the photoabsorption and excitation spectra shows clear evidences of the competition between autoionization and predissociation, but the general dominance of dissociation as the exit channel.