Dissociative recombination (DR) of K2
+ and Rb2
+ ions is one of the most important processes
in K and Rb diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPALs) strongly affecting
their power. We report on the calculations of potential energy curves
of the K2
+ and
Rb2
+ molecular
ions and of the diabatic 1Σ+, 3Σ+, 1Δ, 3Δ, 1Π, 3Π, 1Φ, and 3Φ valence states of K2 and Rb2 that provide the routes for DR of the ions. These curves are required
for subsequent calculations of DR rate constants. It was found that
the most likely DR routes for K are along the dissociative states
61Σg
+, 53Σu
+, and 23Δu and
for Rb only 61Σg
+. The excited states of K atoms produced by
DR are 42P and 52P. Most of the Rb atoms produced
by DR are in the 62P excited state, while a small fraction
of the atoms produced by the less likely routes along two states of
Rb2 are in the 52P state. This conclusion contradicts
the kinetic scheme for K and Rb DPAL proposed elsewhere, and thus
the kinetic schemes of these DPALs should be modified according to
the present results.