ISSN:
1434-6079
Keywords:
36.40
;
33.40.Hp
;
32.30.Bv
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract A new metastable decay reaction of ArnO+ cluster ions produced by the electron impact ionization of argonoxygen clusters has been discovered, leading to the evaporation of more than two monomers in the metastable time regime. It is estimated that an energy of approx. 1 eV has to be released from the intramolecular to intermolecular modes prior to this metastable decay. In contrast to previously observed excimer-induced fragmentation of pure argon cluster ions, it has been concluded that the localized metastable state of an ionic rather than a neutral species is involved in the fragmentation. A reaction mechanism involving an electronic transition from the a2Π ArO+* (O(3P)-Ar+(2P)) excited state to the X4Σ− ArO+ (O+(4S)-Ar(1S)) ground state of the ArO+ complex ion within the cluster and subsequent release of considerable amount of vibrational energy to cluster modes is suggested to account for the observed fragmentation. Based on these measurements, a lifetime of approx. 2 µsis proposed for the excited state a2Π ArO+*.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01425708
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