Abstract

Aluminum is an element of considerable importance in chemistry and technology. Simple aluminum containing molecules, including Al₂ dimer were therefore extensively studied, both experimentally¹-³ and theoretically.⁴-⁸ While some theoretical studies and a previous gas phase study suggested a ground state of ³∑_g symmetry, and some matrix studies claimed a ¹∑ ground state, other theoretical works predicted an X ³π_u ground state.

© 1988 Optical Society of America