ISSN:
1089-7690
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Argon dimer ions have been generated via three different techniques: (1) autoionization; (2) vertical ionization of neutral Ar2; (3) ionization and subsequent fragmentation of argon cluster ions. In experiments (2) and (3) the dimers and clusters are formed via the adiabatic expansion of argon in a supersonic beam. In each case Ar+2 ions have been mass selected and subjected to single-photon infrared excitation (912–1094 cm−1) using a line-tunable carbon dioxide laser in a crossed-beam arrangement. Only those Ar+2 ions with internal energies within 1000 cm−1 of a dissociation limit yield Ar+ photofragments, the kinetic energy spread of which has been measured using an electrostatic analyzer. The photofragment kinetic energy spectra of dimer ions formed by autoionization do not exhibit any dependence on the angle of laser polarization; it is proposed that such behavior is due to the presence of a high thermal rotational temperature (500 K). In contrast, the corresponding spectra of Ar+2 formed via vertical ionization, exhibit two quite distinct features, one of which shows a strong dependence on laser polarization angle. Calculations show that the latter behavior is most probably due to photodissociation out of an excited spin–orbit state of Ar+2. A very pronounced increase in Ar+2 infrared photodissociation signal is observed as a function of increasing nozzle stagnation pressure. To account for such behavior it is proposed that, following ionization, argon cluster ions fragment to give dimer ions in excited vibrational/rotational levels both in the electronic ground and an excited spin–orbit state.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.461920
