State selective predissociation spectroscopy of hydrogen chloride ions (HCl+) via the A2Σ+ ← X2Π3/2 transition

The photodissociation of hydrogen chloride ions (HCl⁺) has been investigated through the A²Σ⁺ (ν′ = 6, 7 and 8) ← X ²Π_3/2 (ν″ = 0) transition. The spectra reveal that state selective photodissociation with complete resolution of the spin, orbital, and rotational angular momentum is possible in the A ²Σ⁺ (ν′ = 6) state. The analysis of these spectra yields the rotational and the spin-rotation coupling constant of the A ²Σ⁺ (ν′ = 6) state. The lifetime of HCl⁺ decreases significantly with increasing vibrational excitation in the ²Σ⁺ state. Within the experimental error limits no J dependence of the lifetime is observerd. The state selective photodissociation of the HCl⁺ ions is also shown to be a very sensitive probe for unexpected parity transitions in the 2 + 1 REMPI formation of the HCl⁺ ions in the X 2Π_3/2 (ν″ = 0) state.