Electronic structure of Cl2 from 5 to 15 eV by electron energy loss spectroscopy

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We have obtained the first high resolution electron energy loss spectra for molecular chlorine over the extended energy-loss range 5.5–14.5 eV at scattering angles between 3° and 9° for an incident electron energy of 200 eV. Spectra obtained at small scattering angles correspond closely to optical absorption spectra, the most prominent features arising from excitation of optically allowed Rydberg states, with other smaller features due to excitation of forbidden states. Our larger angle spectra show additional structures corresponding to excitation of other forbidden states and reveal a previously unobserved band. These angular scattering measurements explain some apparent differences between synchrotron radiation photoabsorption and threshold electron impact excitation spectra, and indicate some structures in the latter measurements to be mislabeled due to the presence of ‘‘hot bands.’’