Rotationally resolved pulsed-field ionization photoelectron bands for O2+(A 2Πu,v+=0–12) in the energy range of 17.0–18.2 eV

Two-Photon Vibrational Transitions in 16O2+ as Probes of Variation of the Proton-to-Electron Mass Ratio

Vibrational overtones in deeply-bound molecules are sensitive probes for variation of the proton-to-electron mass ratio μ . In nonpolar molecules, these overtones may be driven as two-photon transitions. Here, we present procedures for experiments with 16 O 2 + , including state-preparation through photoionization, a two-photon probe, and detection. We calculate transition dipole moments between all X 2 Π g vibrational levels and those of the A 2 Π u excited electronic state. Using these dipole moments, we calculate two-photon transition rates and AC-Stark-shift systematics for the overtones. We estimate other systematic effects and statistical precision. Two-photon vibrational transitions in 16 O 2 + provide multiple routes to improved searches for μ variation.

Ion-pair dissociation dynamics of O2 in the range 17.2-17.5 eV studied by XUV laser and velocity map imaging method

The ion-pair dissociation dynamics of O2, O2 + hv → O(+)((4)S) + O(-)((2)P(1/2, 3/2)), in the photon energy range 17.20-17.50 eV has been studied using extreme ultraviolet laser and velocity map imaging method. The ion-pair yield spectrum and the fine structure resolved photofragment O(-)((2)P(j)) velocity map images have been recorded. The branching ratios between the two spin-orbit components O(-)((2)P(3/2)) and O(-)((2)P(1/2)) and the corresponding anisotropy parameters describing their angular distributions have been determined. It is found that the fragments O(-)((2)P(1/2)) are all from parallel transitions, while the fragments O(-)((2)P(3/2)) are from both parallel and perpendicular transitions. The main products for most of the excitation photon energies are O(-)((2)P(1/2)). The dissociation dynamics has been discussed based on the ab initio potential energy curves of the ion-pairs. The major peaks in the ion-pair yield spectrum have been assigned based on the angular distribution of the photofragments. The experimental results suggest that the so-called strong and weak series of Rydberg states converging to O2(+)b(4)Σg(-) should have symmetries of (3)Σu(-) and (3)Πu, respectively. In addition to the Rydberg states converging to O2(+)b(4)Σg(-), the Rydberg states converging to O2(+)A(2)Πu should also play a role in the ion-pair dissociation of O2.

Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy and chemistry by photoionization and photoelectron methods

The recent developments of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser and third generation synchrotron radiation sources, together with the introduction of pulsed field ionization (PFI) schemes for photoion-photoelectron detection, have had a profound impact on the field of VUV spectroscopy and chemistry. Owing to the mediation of near-resonant autoionizing states, rovibronic states of ions with negligible Franck-Condon factors for direct photoionization can be examined by VUV-PFI measurements with rotational resolutions. The VUV-PFI spectra thus obtained have provided definitive ionization energies (IEs) for many small molecules. The recent synchrotron-based PFI-photoelectron-photoion coincidence experiments have demonstrated that dissociative photoionization thresholds for a range of molecules can be determined to the same precision as in PFI-photoelectron measurements. Combining appropriate dissociation thresholds and IEs measured in PFI studies, thermochemical data for many neutrals and cations can be determined with unprecedented precision. The further development of two-color excitation-ionization schemes promises to expand the scope of spectroscopic and chemical applications using the photoionization-photoelectron method.