Photodissociation dynamics of Ar 2+ and Ar 3+ excited by 527 nm photons

Abstract

The photofragmentation dynamics of Ar 2+ and Ar 3+ clusters has been investigated at a 527 nm wavelength (2.35 eV) using a setup that allows simultaneous detection of the ionic and neutral fragments in a coincidence experiment. Measurement of positions and times of flight enables in principle a complete description of the fragmentation dynamics. The photofragmentation dynamics of Ar 3+ clusters is similar to that of Ar 2+ with, in addition, the ejection of a third fragment that can be neutral or ionized via a resonant electron capture. This is attributed to the triangular geometry of the Ar 3+ ion. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.