Photodissociation of size-selected benzene cluster ions: (C6H6)n+ with n = 2-8

Abstract

Photodissociation of size-selected benzene cluster ions, (C 6 H 6 ) n + with n=2-8, was investigated in the wavelength range of 440-960 nm. The average number of neutral monomers ejected from each cluster ion was obtained from the size distribution of photofragment ions. Two different electronic excitations (π←π local excitation and charge resonance transion) exhibited a similar dissociation propensity with respect to the partitioning of the available energy. An upper bound of 0.35±0.1 eV was determined for the average binding energy of a neutral monomer to a cluster ion with n=6-8