Predissociation of H sub 3 near its ionization threshold induced by very weak electric fields

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review, A; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.43.3645· OSTI ID:5622697

Bordas, C; Helm, H ^[1]

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1. Molecular Physics Laboratory, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025 (US)

We report the discovery of predissociation channels in H{sub 3} at energies within a few meV of the lowest ionization threshold. The predissociation affects selected {ital p}- and {ital d}-Rydberg states with high principal quantum numbers. For the {ital d} states, the predissociation process is induced by very weak electric fields, of order less than 1 V/cm. The predissociations are due to interaction with vibrationally excited states of low principal quantum number that exhibit significant coupling to the repulsive ground-state surface of H{sub 3}, 2{ital p}{sup 2}{ital E}{prime}. We discuss the possible significance of these predissociation channels for decay paths in dissociative recombination of H{sub 3}{sup +} with low-energy electrons.

• OSTI ID: 5622697
• Journal Information: Physical Review, A; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, A; (USA) Vol. 43:7; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
BEAMS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DISSOCIATION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
EXCITED STATES
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN IONS
HYDROGEN IONS 3 PLUS
IONIZATION
IONS
MANY-BODY PROBLEM
MOLECULAR BEAMS
MOLECULAR IONS
MOLECULES
NONMETALS
PHOTOIONIZATION
PREDISSOCIATION
RYDBERG STATES
THREE-BODY PROBLEM
THRESHOLD ENERGY