Photodissociation of sulfur dioxide cluster anions

Photodissociation of negatively charged sulfur dioxide clusters (SO₂) _n ^? , 2≦n≦11, was investigated in the wavelength range between 458 nm and 600 nm using a tandem mass spectrometer. The spectral position of the absorption band remains unchanged, however it exhibits narrowing with increasing cluster size. The smooth evolution of the spectra shows that the clusters are composed of a dimer anion core surrounded by neutral molecules. The analysis of the fragmentation products reveals that the absorption of a photon is followed by statistical evaporation of neutrals with a mean energy loss of 0.28±0.05 eV per evaporated monomer in the large cluster limit.