Population transfer of the Na2 molecule via continuum state

The population transfer between the different electronic states through the ionization continuum state is studied for the Na-2 molecule using the quantum wave packet method. The population evolutions of the initial A(1) Sigma(+)(u) state, the target 2(1) Pi(g) state and the ionization continuum (2)Sigma(+)(g) state with time are discussed in detail. The time-dependent photoelectron energy spectra are calculated. It is demonstrated that the population can be efficiently transferred from the A(1) Sigma(+)(u) state to the 2(1) Pi(g) state via the 2 Sigma(+)(g) state by properly choosing the intensities and the detunings of the pump and Stokes pulses. The effects of one-photon detuning and molecular rotation and alignment on the population transfer are also discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.