MULTICHANNEL-QUANTUM-DEFECT-THEORY ANALYSIS OF THE STARK-EFFECT IN AUTOIONIZING RYDBERG STATES OF H-2

The multichannel-quantum-defect theory (MQDT) of the Stark effect is a pplied to the simulation of transitions in molecular hydrogen to the a utoionizing Rydberg,states in the region between the v(+)=1 and v(+)=2 thresholds, with principal quantum numbers 13-19, for applied electri c fields in the range 100-1300 V/cm. The vibrational coupling between Rydberg states belonging to different series is included for the first time in a MQDT Stark-effect calculation. The results of the calculati ons are compared with previously reported experimental results [Chem. Phys. Lett. 185, 199 (1991)]. The calculations not only advance the un derstanding of the experimental Stark spectra, but they also suggest t hat additional insight into zero-field interactions can be gained from a detailed understanding of the Stark effect in the hydrogen Rydberg states.