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Title: Excitation of Rydberg states of HgCl/sub 2/ and HgBr/sub 2/ by electron impact

Journal Article · · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5968660

We have examined the electronic structure of HgCl/sub 2/ and HgBr/sub 2/ from 5 to 14 eV by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. Our measurements include the near-UV region which has not been examined by any previous technique and which is found to be rich in Rydberg states. In particular, in each molecule we identify members of two optically allowed Rydberg series and one forbidden series with electronic structues sigma/sup 2//sub g/sigma/sup 2//sub u/..pi../sup 4//sub u/..pi../sup 3//sub g/ (np..pi../sub u/, npsigma/sub u/, and nd..pi../sub g/, or (n+1)ssigma/sub g/) which converge to the /sup 2/product/sub g/ ground ionic state. In addition, other structures which form the dominant energy loss mechanisms in our spectra are identified as arising from optically allowed Rydberg states associated with the excited ionic states /sup 2/Pi/sub u/, /sup 2/..sigma../sub u/, and /sup 2/..sigma../sub g/. Measurements at energy loss below 9 eV confirm previous valence states observed in photoabsorbtion and suggest the existence of two new valence states in each molecule. Angular measurements facilitate identification of many of the newly observed structures in our electron-energy loss spectra.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5968660
Journal Information:
J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 82:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English