Photoionization of KCs Molecule: Origin of the Structured Continuum?

Abstract

We report the experimental observation of photoionization bands of the KCs molecule in the deep ultraviolet spectral region between 200 and 420 nm. We discuss the origin of observed photoionization bands as stemming from the absorption from the ground state of the KCs molecule to the excited states of KCs+ molecule for which we used existing potential curves of the KCs+ molecule. An alternative explanation relies on the absorption from the ground state of the KCs molecule to the doubly excited states of the KCs** molecule, situated above the lowest molecular state of KCs+. The relevant potential curves of KCs** are not known yet, but all those KCs** potential curves are certainly autoionizing. However, these two photoionization pathways may interfere resulting in a special interference structured continuum, which is observed as complex bands.