Fragmentation of valence electronic states of BF +3 below 21.2 eV

Abstract

The dissociation of the five electronic states of BF⁺₃ lying below 21.2 eV has been investigated using a photoelectron–photoion coincidence technique. Above the dissociation threshold BF⁺₂ is the sole ionic dissociation product. Earlier theoretical work suggests strong vibronic couplings for this manifold of electronic states and the dynamical implications of such interactions are considered in an examination of the energy redistribution in the fragmentation. The possible involvement of an electronically excited state of BF⁺₂ is outlined and ab initio calculations to establish the excitation energy of such a state are reported.