Xe+formation following photolysis of Au–Xe: A velocity map imaging study

Journal article

The photodissociation dynamics of Au–Xe leading to Xe+ formation via the Ξ1/2–X2Σ+ (v′, 0) band system (41 500–41 800 cm−1) have been investigated by velocity map imaging. Five product channels have been indentified, which can be assigned to photoinduced charge transfer followed by photodissociation in either the neutral or the [Au–Xe]+ species. For the neutral species, charge transfer occurs via a superexcited Rydberg state prior to dissociative ionization, while single-photon excitation of the gold atom in Au+–Xe accesses an (Au+)*–Xe excited state that couples to a dissociative continuum in Au–Xe+. Mechanisms by which charge transfer occurs are proposed, and branching ratios for Xe+ formation via the superexcited Rydberg state are reported. The bond dissociation energy for the first excited state of Au+–Xe is determined to be ∼9720 ± 110 cm−1.

Authors: Hopkins, W; Woodham, A; Plowright, R; Wright, T; Mackenzie, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: AIP Publishing
• Journal: Journal of Chemical Physics
• Volume: 134
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 094311
• Publication date: 2011-03-03
• Acceptance date: 2011-02-01
• DOI: 10.1063/1.3556944
• EISSN: 1089-7690
• ISSN: 0021-9606
• Pmid: 21384973
• Language: English
• Keywords: SBTMR