Description:
<jats:p>We have employed (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy to record electronic absorption spectra of NO–Rg (Rg=Ne,Ar,Kr) van der Waals complexes. The nitric oxide molecule is the chromophore, and the excitation corresponds to an electron being promoted from the 2pπ* orbital to 3dσ, 3dπ, and 3dδ Rydberg states. We review the ordering of the 3dλ states of NO and use this as a basis for discussing the 3d components in the NO–Rg complexes, in terms of the interactions between the Rydberg electron, the core, and the Rg atom. Predissociation of the H̃′Π2 state occurs through the F̃Δ2 state for NO–Ar and NO–Kr, and this will be considered. We shall also outline problems encountered when trying to record similar spectra for NO–Xe, related to the presence of atomic Xe resonances.</jats:p>