Photodissociation of Ne +2

Abstract

The dissociation energy of Ne⁺₂ has been measured by means of photofragment spectroscopy of the molecular ions in a crossed laser/fast-ion-beam configuration. The repulsive C²∑⁺_g state was excited by a laser via the C²∑⁺_gâ†� X ²∑⁺_u transition and the released kinetic energy was measured by an electrostatic energy analyser. Potential curves of Ne⁺₂ were calculated by the CASSCF/MRCCI method. The experimentally derived dissociation energy of Ne⁺₂, 1.35 ± 0.1 eV, is consistent with the theoretical value of 1.32 eV.