Quasi-isotropic fragmentation of PF5 following P 2p photoabsorption

High-resolution gas phase P L-edge photoabsorption spectra of PF5

High-resolution photoabsorption spectra of P 2s and 2p levels of PF5 are reported. Fine structure, due to spin-orbit and ligand field splittings together with strong vibrational progression, is resolved in the Rydberg region of the P 2p spectrum. A ligand field splitting of 31 meV for the 2p3/2 orbital is obtained from the fit of the Rydberg transitions. The Franck–Condon fit analysis revealed that the vibrational progression of the higher Rydberg states is different from that of the valence-Rydberg mixed 4s state. In particular, we derived a decrease in P–F bond distances of 12 and 28 pm for the 4s valence-Rydberg mixed state and the high nl Rydberg states, respectively. The natural linewidths of the P 2p levels were determined to be 55 meV.Key words: PF5, Rydberg state, vibrational, ligand field splitting, photoabsorption.

Commissioning and performance of the variable line spacing plane grating monochromator beamline at the Canadian Light Source

The variable line spacing plane grating monochromator beamline at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) employs three grazing incidence variable line spacing gratings to cover a photon energy range of 5-250 eV. It uses a 185 mm period length planar permanent magnet insertion device as the photon source, sharing a straight section with another soft x-ray beamline at the CLS. The commissioning and performance of the beamline is reported. The high resolution photoabsorption spectra of Ar and PF(5) gases are reported. A resolving power of over 40,000 for photons in the low energy region and >10,000 for a wider energy range (8-200 eV) can be achieved. A photon flux of up to 2 x 10(12) photons/s per 100 mA with slit settings of 50 microm has been measured.