Electronic excitation and thermal effects in alkali-halide cluster anions
We have observed electronically excited states in alkali-halide cluster anions with one excess electron. Using photoelectron spectroscopy, we have found two narrow states in (KI)-2, (NaI)-2, and (NaCl)-2, consistent with a dipole-bound electron, while larger cluster anions exhibit a single broad excited state. In the larger systems, electronic excitation is often accompanied by vibrational excitation and thus a change in cluster temperature. Such temperature changes affect cluster structure and in some cases lead to rapid thermal isomerization.
Fatemi
FK
Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA.
Dally
AJ
Bloomfield
LA