Rotational predissociation of H/sup +. //sub 2/ ions of different precursor origins

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5837570

Brenton, A G; Richard, E G; Fournier, P; Beynon, J

The ro-vibronic states of ground state (1s sigma/sub g/)H/sup +.//sub 2/ that can fragment by the mechanism of rotational predissociation have been predicted theoretically and so have the lifetimes of these states. Six of these predicted quasibound states have previously been detected using a mass spectrometric method in which states are characterized by determining the translational energy released during the fragmentation process. In the present investigation, H/sup +.//sub 2/ has been prepared, not from hydrogen gas itself, but from a number of organic molecules by electron bombardment. It is shown that by this method, H/sup +.//sub 2/ appears in highly rotationally excited states and that the relative population densities of the states varies from compound to compound. The relative lifetimes of the fragmenting states have been investigated by varying the time after formation of the H/sup +.//sub 2/ ions in which observations of fragmentation are made. A total of nine quasibound states in H/sup +.//sub 2/ from methane were observed and assigned from theoretical calculations. Bound and quasibound states of H/sup +.//sub 2/ molecular ions have been calculated in the framework of the Born--Oppenheimer approximation. The energy levels and lifetimes with respect to predissociation of these quasibound states are determined. The effect of adiabatic corrections are estimated and discussed.

• Research Organization: Royal Society Research Unit, University College of Swansea, Swansea SA2 8PP, Great Britain, United Kingdom
• OSTI ID: 5837570
• Journal Information: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 79:4; ISSN JCPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKANES
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COLLISIONS
DISSOCIATION
ELECTRON COLLISIONS
ELECTRON-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN IONS
HYDROGEN IONS 1 PLUS
IONS
METHANE
MOLECULAR IONS
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PREDISSOCIATION
ROTATIONAL STATES