Identification of overlapping resonances in dissociative electron attachment to chlorine molecules

Abstract

A combined highly differential momentum imaging experiment and ab initio potential-energy curve calculation using density-functional theory (DFT) have been performed to understand the broad resonant peak around 5.7 eV due to dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to the chlorine molecule. Both the kinetic energy and angular distribution over the entire $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ angle of the fragment negative ions have been measured. Two heavily overlapping resonances are identified for the observed broad resonant peak that could settle the long-standing debate. The symmetry of the involved two temporary negative ion (TNI) states are determined from the angular distribution data. Experimental observations are strongly supported with the computed potential-energy curve using DFT.