1. The discrete spectrum (which extends from ∼2800 Å into the infrared) is the result of transitions among the stable Rydberg states of He2, while transitions to the unstable ground state produce the “Hopfield” continuum in the vacuum ultraviolet.
2. M. L. Ginter, (a) J. Chem. Phys. 42, 561 (1965); JCPSA60021-9606
3. (b) M. L. Ginter, J. Mol. Spectry. 17, 224 (1965); JMOSA30022-2852
4. (c) M. L. Ginter, 18, 321 (1965).JMOSA30022-2852, J. Mol. Spectrosc.
5. United‐atom orbital (UAO) symbols are used throughout this paper since the Rydberg molecular orbitals for He2 in the region around re would correspond fairly closely to the united‐atom form.