High-resolution laser photofragment spectroscopy of GeH+ (A 1Π—X1Σ+)

Abstract

High-resolution laser photodissociation spectra of the GeH+ molecular ion in the visible region of the spectrum have been recorded between 541 and 613 nm by the detection of Ge+ fragment ions, using a fast-ion-beam apparatus. Many of the lines have been assigned to rovibronic transitions in the A 1Π—X1Σ+ system, which is observed for the first time. The predissociated levels of the A 1Π state lie between the fine structure dissociation asymptotes, Ge+(2P3/2, 2P1/2) + H (i.e. they are Feshbach resonances), and show a pronounced dependence of the lifetime on the rotational quantum number. This is interpreted in terms of a strong variation in the coupling induced by the radial kinetic energy operator. Measurements of the angular distribution profiles and fragment translational energy releases are reported.