High-resolution Auger-electron spectrum of HCl and DCl

Attosecond pump-attosecond probe spectroscopy of Auger decay

Attosecond pump-attosecond probe spectroscopy is becoming possible due the development of sub-femtosecond free electron laser (FEL) pulses as well as intense high-order harmonic generation-based attosecond sources. Here we investigate theoretically whether these developments can provide access to direct time-resolved measurement of Auger decay through detection of the total yield of an ionic decay product, in analogy to the photodissociation product detection in femtochemistry. We show that the ion yield based measurement is generally possible and in the case of the inner-valence hole decay can be background-free. Extensive first principles calculations are used to optimise the probe photon energies for a variety of prototypical systems.

Interrelation between the distributions of kinetic energy release and emitted electron energy following the decay of electronic states

In an electronic decay process followed by fragmentation the kinetic energy release and electron spectra can be measured. Classically they are the mirror image of each other, a fact which is often used in practice. Quantum expressions are derived for both spectra and analyzed. It is demonstrated that these spectra carry complementary quantum information and are related to the nuclear dynamics in different participating electronic states. Illustrative examples show that the classical picture of a mirror image can break down and shed light on the underlying physics.

The double photoionization of hydrogen iodide molecules

The double photoionization of HI molecules has been investigated using vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation in the energy range between 27 and 35 eV. The product ions have been detected by the use of time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the threshold energy for HI2+ and H+ + I+ formation has been determined. These results have been interpreted by the use of a theoretical model which has been previously applied by us to HBr2+ and HCl2+. On the basis of the reliability of such a model, an assessment of the systematic trends of the bond features along the HX2+ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) homologous series is given in this paper. In particular, the increase of the stability of these dications, in their lowest electronic states, when going towards the heavier molecules, has been rationalized considering the systematic variation of the charge transfer coupling between the H-X2+ and the H+-X+ states.

Theoretical Studies on Dications and Trications of FH, ClH, and BrH. Properties of the Bound 15Σ- States. Electron-Spin g-Factors and Fine/Hyperfine Constants of the Metastable X3Σ- States of ClH2+ and BrH2+

This theoretical study reports calculations on the fine and hyperfine structure parameters of the metastable X(3)Sigma(-)(sigma(2)pi(2)) state of ClH(2+) and BrH(2+). Data on the repulsive FH(2+) system are also included for comparison purposes. The hyperfine structure (hfs) coupling constants for magnetic (A(iso), A(dip)) and quadrupole (eQq) interactions are evaluated using B3LYP, MP4SDQ, CCSD, and QCISD methods and several basis sets. The fine structure (fs) constants (zero-field splitting lambda and spin-rotation coupling gamma) and electron-spin magnetic moments (g-factor) are evaluated in 2nd-order perturbation theory using multireference CI (MRCI) wave functions. Our calculations find for (35)Cl of ClH(2+) A(iso)/A(dip) = 110/-86 MHz; eQq(0) = -59 MHz; 2lambda = 20.4 cm(-1); g( perpendicular)(v = 0) = 2.02217; and gamma = -0.31 cm(-1) (to be compared with the available experimental A(iso)/A(dip)= 162/-30 MHz). For (79)BrH(2+), the corresponding values are 300/-400 MHz; 368 MHz; 362.6 cm(-1); 2.07302; and -0.98 cm(-1) (experimental 2lambda = 445(+/-80) cm(-1)). We find g( perpendicular)(ClH(2+)) to increase by about 0.0054 between v = 0 and 2, whereas the experimental effective g( perpendicular) changes drastically with vibrational excitation. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for halogen atoms X are found to be as large as corresponding A(dip)(X)'s, indicating that both terms may have to be included in the Hamiltonian used to interpret XH(2+) hyperfine spectra. A novel finding relates to the bound character of the 1(5)Sigma(-)(sigmapi(2)sigma) state in FH(2+), as already known for ClH(2+) and BrH(2+), but having a deeper potential well D(e) approximately 4,000 cm(-1) (versus 1,000 cm(-1) in the heavier radicals). Vertical ionization potentials for formation of XH(3+) trications are also discussed.

The double photoionization of HCl: An ion–electron coincidence study

The double photoionization of HCl molecules by synchrotron radiation has been studied in the energy range between 30 and 50 eV. The HCl(2+) and Cl(2+) product ions have been detected by a photoelectron-photoion-coincidence technique, while the H(+)+Cl(+) formation, which follows the double ionization of HCl, has been studied by photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence. The photon energy threshold for the production of HCl(2+) ions has been found to be 35.4+/-0.6 eV, while for the dissociative channel leading to H(+)+Cl(+), it has been measured a threshold at 36.4+/-0.6 eV and a change in the slope of the cross-section energy dependence at 38.7+/-0.7 eV. The production of H+Cl(2+) occurs with a threshold photon energy of 42.8+/-1.1 eV. These results appear to be in a good agreement with previous data by different experimental techniques and recent theoretical calculations performed by our laboratory.