Superexcited states of CO near the first ionization threshold

Characteristics of the superexcited states of CO which dominate the various dynamic processes near the first ionization potential are determined by using quantum chemical calculations and multi-channel quantum defect theoretical analyses. Quantum defects are obtained as functions of the internuclear distance for the sσ, pσ, pπ, dσ, dπ and dδ symmetries. Two dissociative states (1Σ+ and 1Π) which cross the ionic potential curve near the equilibrium internuclear distance of CO+ are also determined.