Mapping Molecular Excited States via Relative Ion Yield Photodissociation Spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Laser photodissociation spectroscopy is vital for studying electronic excited states and photochemistry in gaseous ions.
• It provides benchmarks for theoretical studies and insights into light-induced fragmentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the advantages of analyzing photodissociation action spectra using photon-energy-dependent relative ion yield plots.
• To introduce a novel approach for analyzing ion photodissociation spectra based on quantum yields.

Main Methods:

• The study focuses on analyzing photodissociation action spectra.
• A new method based on relative ion yield plots is presented and demonstrated.
• UV filter molecules are used as examples to illustrate the technique.

Main Results:

• Relative ion yield analysis simplifies the identification of experimental vertical excitation energies for charged systems.
• This approach provides deeper insights into excited-state decay dynamics compared to individual spectra analysis.
• The method facilitates straightforward comparison between experimental data and theoretical predictions.

Conclusions:

• Relative ion yield analysis is a powerful tool for studying excited states and photochemistry in gaseous ions.
• This technique enhances the understanding of light-induced fragmentation and excited-state decay pathways.
• The method offers significant advantages for both experimental and theoretical investigations in photochemistry.