Interference and non-Franck-Condon effects in ionization of H2 molecules by photon impact

Abstract

We analyze theoretically interference effects in the spectra of electrons emitted in the H2 photoionization by high energy linearly polarized photons. Molecular bound and continuum states are accurately described by means of B-spline basis allowing the inclusion of the nuclear degrees of freedom. One interesting feature is observed: the usual Franck-Condon behavior is not followed when the H2 internuclear axis is parallel to the polarization direction. Moreover, this is related to the fact that for this molecular orientation and under certain conditions, the electron cannot be emitted in the direction of the radiation field. On the contrary, for H 2 molecules perpendicular to the polarization direction, the angular distribution of electrons is analogous to the one observed in the two slits Young's experiment.