Double ionisation of ICN and BrCN studied by a new photoelectron–photoion coincidence technique

A double time-of-flight technique is described, whereby any number of electrons and ions produced by photoionisation can be detected in coincidence, with energy analysis for the electrons and mass analysis for the ions. Branching ratios, kinetic energy releases and mechanisms in doubly charged ion decays can be measured with selection of the initial double ionisation energy. The new technique, together with spectroscopy by the recently established time-of-flight photoelectron–photoelectron coincidence (TOF-PEPECO) method, is used to study the spectra and dissociation dynamics of ICN⁺⁺ and BrCN⁺⁺.     

The free energy of a reaction coordinate at multiple constraints: a concise formulation

The free energy as a function of the reaction coordinate (rc) is the key quantity for the computation of equilibrium and kinetic quantities. When it is considered as the potential of mean force, the problem is the calculation of the mean force for given values of the rc. We reinvestigate the PMCF (potential of mean constraint force) method which applies a constraint to the rc to compute the mean force as the mean negative constraint force and a metric tensor correction. The latter allows for the constraint imposed to the rc and possible artefacts due to multiple constraints of other variables which for practical reasons are often used in numerical simulations. Two main results are obtained that are of theoretical and practical interest. First, the correction term is given a very concise and simple shape which facilitates its interpretation and evaluation. Secondly, a theorem describes various rcs and possible combinations with constraints that can be used without introducing any correction to the constraint force. The results facilitate the computation of free energy by molecular dynamics simulations.     

Mechanisms of spontaneous two-electron emission from core-excited states of molecular CO

We demonstrate that the observation of slow electrons emitted in the decay of molecular core-excited states can be a sensitive probe of the double Auger processes, and that in combination with electron-electron coincidence spectroscopy, it can provide clear insight into the mechanisms involved. The present study identifies all cascade Auger paths from the C1s-to-Rydberg states in CO to final states of CO2+. One pathway includes the first directly identified case of molecular level-to-level autoionization of a cation and shows remarkable selectivity for a specific final state.     

Double photoionization into double core-hole states in Xe

Double photoionization (DPI) leading to double core-hole states of Xe2+ 4d(-2) has been studied using a magnetic bottle time-of-flight spectrometer. The assignments of the Xe2+ 4d(-2) states are confirmed by the Auger lines extracted from fourfold coincidences including two photoelectrons and two Auger electrons. It is estimated that the core-core DPI into Xe2+ 4d(-2) at a photon energy of 301.6 eV has a favored cross section of about 0.3 MB. The intense core-core DPI is due to mixing of the 4d(-2) continuum with the 4p single photoionization, which is manifested in the relative intensities of the Xe2+ 4d(-2) components.     

Multi-electron spectroscopy: Auger decays of the argon 2s hole

Auger decay of an inner shell hole is an efficient way to create multiply charged ions in the gas phase. We illustrate this with the example of the argon 2s decay, and show that multi-electron coincidence spectroscopy between the 2s photoelectron and all released Auger electrons leads to a complete reconstruction of the Ar 2s decay cascade. Spectra of the intermediate and final Ar(n+) states are obtained and are compared with a theoretical model.     

Properties of hollow molecules probed by single-photon double ionization

The formation of hollow molecules (with a completely empty K shell in one constituent atom) through single-photon core double ionization has been demonstrated using a sensitive magnetic bottle experimental technique combined with synchrotron radiation. Detailed properties are presented such as the spectroscopy, formation, and decay dynamics of the N(2)(2+) K(-2) main and satellite states and the strong chemical shifts of double K holes on an oxygen atom in CO, CO2, and O2 molecules.     

Polarization measurements of laboratory VUV light: a first comparison between multilayer polarizers and photoelectron angular distributions

The use of photoelectron angular distributions to determine the linear polarization of VUV light over a wide range of photon energies is demonstrated. Light at wavelengths from 256 to 736 Å, partially polarized by large angle reflections in a toroidal grating monochromator and at a refocus mirror, has been analyzed. The results are validated by comparison measurements at spot wavelengths using multilayer polarizers.     

Rotational analysis of the A—X bands of S+2

The S⁺₂ (A²Π_u-X²Π_g) emission system from sulphur monochloride in a helium flowing afterglow has been analysed in the 5000–6000 Å region. Molecular constants for the S⁺₂ (A²Π_u, X²Π_g) states have been determined and are compared with previous estimates. Equilibrium bond lengths of S⁺₂ are found to be: X²Π_g,r_e = 1.8226 ± 0.0010 Å and A²Π_u, r_e = 2.0441 ± 0.0013 Å.     

Cationic Rydberg states observed in resonantly enhanced electron spectra of CS2

The inner valence electron spectrum of the CS₂ molecule has been investigated in the binding energy range between 18.6 and 26.3 eV using synchrotron radiation for ionisation. Photon energies in the range from 67 to about 167 eV have been used, with particular focus on 166.70, 166.89 and 167.09 eV for which S2p electrons are resonantly transferred into Rydberg orbitals close to the ionisation threshold. From there, autoionisation takes the molecule into various cationic states characterized by two valence holes and a Rydberg spectator electron. Many new bands are observed which contain vibrational progressions with spacings around 120 meV in most cases. These are assigned as excitations of the totally symmetric stretching ν₁ mode in the cationic state. The new bands reflect states in the cation that are close to the electronic states of the dication and assignments are made by comparison to double ionisation electron spectra.