Spectroscopy of the Double Minimum $3\,^3 \Pi_{\Omega}$ Electronic State of $^{39}$K$^{85}$Rb

Abstract

We report the observation and analysis of the $3\,^3\Pi_{\Omega}$ double-minimum electronic excited state of $^{39}$K$^{85}$Rb. The spin-orbit components ($0^{+}, 0^{-}, 1$ and 2) of this state are investigated based on potentials developed from the available \emph{ab initio} potential curves. We have assigned the vibrational levels $v'=2-11$ of the $3\,^3\Pi_{1,2}$ potentials and $v'=2-12$ of the $3\,^3\Pi_{0^{+/-}}$ potential. We compare our experimental observations of the $3\,^3\Pi_{\Omega}$ state with predictions based on theoretical potentials. The observations are based on resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of ultracold KRb in vibrational levels $v"=14-25$ of the $a\,^3\Sigma^+$ state. These \emph{a}-state ultracold molecules are formed by photoassociation of ultracold $^{39}$K and $^{85}$Rb atoms to the 5(1) state of KRb followed by spontaneous emission to the \emph{a} state.