Excited states of XH2+ (X=C, N, O, S) ions: a combined experimental and theoretical study

Abstract

Excited electronic states of doubly charged molecular ions of the diatomic hydrides CH2+, NH2+, OH2+ and SH2+ are investigated by means of high-resolution translational energy spectrometry. Long-lived states of CH2+, NH2+ and SH2+ (but not OH2+) are observed. Potential energy functions are calculated using a semi-empirical molecular-orbital technique as well as a high-level ab initio method using large basis sets of at least double zeta plus polarisation quality. Translational energy spectra of singly charged hydride ions are also presented.