Xe2 and Kr2 gerade state symmetries by polarization measurements

Two-photon resonant multiphoton ionization spectra of Xe2 and Kr2 have been recorded using linearly and circularly polarized light. Electronic symmetries for gerade excited Rydberg states that dissociate to (Xe + Xe∗ 6p, 5d) and (Kr + Kr∗ 5p) are proposed from the resultant intensity changes, and comparisons are made with the predictions of ab initio theory.