Direct photodissociation of SO+ via the 14Σ+ state

The direct photodissociation process SO⁺ a ⁴Π +hv → S⁺ (⁴S⁰) + O(³P) via the repulsive SO⁺ 1⁴Σ⁺ state has been studied using a laser-ion photofragment spectrometer with coaxial beams. The kinetic energy distribution of the S⁺ photofragments has been measured at a laser wavelength of λ=488 nm (hv=2.54 eV). The spectrum shows vibrational structure which can be assigned to transitions from the vibrational levelsv = 7–13 of the initiala ⁴Π state. The experimental data are used along with semi-empirical calculations to locate the potential curve of the repulsive 1⁴Σ⁺ state in the Franck-Condon region. The results are compared with data obtained from photopredissociation studies of SO⁺ and with theoretical calculations for the 1⁴Σ⁺ state.