Photofragmentation spectra and potential energy surfaces of Sr+Ar2

Abstract

The photofragmentation spectrum of the Sr⁺Ar₂ cluster has been recorded in a time of flight mass spectrometer and in the energy range 21000–27000 cm^-1. Three absorption bands are observed which are related to transitions from the ground electronic state, X²A₁, to the three states that correlate with 5p orbitals of Sr⁺. The first and third bands result from the production of pure Sr⁺, while the second band is associated with the production of Sr⁺ and Sr⁺Ar in almost equal amounts. Potential energy surfaces computed using a one electron perturbation theory and expression in analytical forms offer a framework for the interpretation of the photofragmentation spectra.