Double-well states of ungerade symmetry in H-2: First observation and comparison with ab initio calculations

A class of long-lived outer well states of ungerade symmetry lying above the ionization threshold in molecular hydrogen is investigated. A triple resonance scheme is used to study the rovibrational levels within a potential extended over internuclear separations. Good agreement with updated ab initio calculations is found. This demonstrates that for as long as the interaction with the Rydberg manifolds is shielded by a barrier, such calculations can be extended to an energetic range above the ionization.