The rovibronic structure of Ni2+ via resonant two-color photodissociation

Rotationally resolved photodissociation spectra of mass-selected internally cold 58Ni2+ have been observed for twenty bands in four different electronic transitions of the isolated ion. The rotational analysis provides rotational constants as well as the total angular momentum (spin + orbit) along the internuclear axis for both states in each transition. The rotation-vibration constant, αe, and the equilibrium bond length re were also determined for three electronic states. An estimate of the excited state lifetime is also presented.