The photoionization cross sections of the Rg*2[3Σ+u] excimer states for Ne*2, Ar*2, and Kr*2

Based on the recently determined Rydberg series of the
³
\Sigma+_{u}
excimer states of Ne*
2
, Ar*
2
and Kr*
2
, the photoionization cross sections of these molecules are calculated using a single-channel quantum defect method. These cross sections are found to differ considerably from those of the asymptotic metastable atomic Rg*(
ns^{3}P_{2}
) states, but are in good agreement with recently reported experiments at isolated wavelengths. The implications of these results for VUV and XUV lasers are discussed.