Disentangling the Photodissociation Dynamics of the HF+ Molecular Radical via Kinetic-Energy-Release-Resolved F 1s Core Excitation and Ionization

The F is core level photoionization of the ionic molecular radical HF+ has been studied using the photon-ion merged-beams technique at a synchrotron radiation source. Upon analyzing kinetic energy release (KER) dependent photoion yield spectra, complex ultrafast dissociation dynamics of the F is core hole excited sigma* state can be revealed. By means of configuration-interaction electronic structure calculations of the excited molecular potential energy curves, this complex process can be attributed to a spin-dependent dissociation of the excited sigma* biradical state.

Automated summary

The core level photoionization of the ionic molecular radical HF+ was studied using the photon-ion merged-beams technique, revealing complex ultrafast dissociation dynamics of the F is core hole excited sigma* state. Electronic structure calculations attributed this complex process to a spin-dependent dissociation of the excited sigma* biradical state.