text: The molecule can only exist in an excited state. The different excited electronic states are represented by symbols for the outer electron nLΓ with n the principal quantum number, L is the electronic angular momentum, and Γ is the electronic symmetry selected from the D group. Extra bracketed symbols can be attached showing vibration in the core: {s,d} with s representing symmetrical stretch, d degenerate mode, and l vibrational angular momentum. Yet another term can be inserted to indicate molecular rotation: (N,G) with N angular momentum apart from electrons as projected on the molecular axis, and G the Hougens convenient quantum number determined by G=l+λ-K. This is often (1,0), as the rotational states are restricted by the constituent particles all being fermions. Examples of these states are: 2sA 3sA 2pA" 3dE 3DE" 3dA 3pE 3pA". The 2pA" state has a lifetime of 700 ns. If the molecule attempts to lose energy and go to the repulsive ground state, it spontaneously breaks up.  The lowest energy metastable state, 2sA has an energy -3.777 eV below the  and e state but decays in around 1 ps. The unstable ground state designated 2pE spontaneously breaks up into a H molecule and an H atom. Rotationless states have a longer life time than rotating molecules.
  The electronic state for a trihydrogen cation with an electron delocalized around it is a Rydberg state.
  The outer electron can be boosted to high Rydberg state, and can ionise if the energy gets to 29562.6 cm above the 2pA" state, in which case  forms.