The X$^1\Sigma^+$ and a$^3\Sigma^+$ states of LiCs studied by Fourier-transform spectroscopy

Abstract

We present the first high-resolution spectroscopic study of LiCs. LiCs is formed in a heat pipe oven and studied via laser-induced fluorescence Fourier-transform spectroscopy. By exciting molecules through the X$^1\Sigma^+$-B$^1\Pi$ and X$^1\Sigma^+$-D$^1\Pi$ transitions vibrational levels of the X$^1\Sigma^+$ ground state have been observed up to 3cm^{-1} below the dissociation limit enabling an accurate construction of the potential. Furthermore, rovibrational levels in the a$^3\Sigma^+$ triplet ground state have been observed because the excited states obtain sufficient triplet character at the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. With the help of coupled channels calculations accurate singlet and triplet ground state potentials were derived reaching the atomic ground state asymptote and allowing first predictions of cold collision properties of Li + Cs pairs.