Abstract

The form of the ion spectrum in multiphoton ionization photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) depends on the vibrational character of the resonant intermediate state through which ionization takes place. This dependence is due to the intermediate state to ion transition Franck-Condon factors and thus PES is sensitive to the vibrational character of the intermediate state. In picosecond laser pump-probes PES the probe pulse interrogates the time evolution of the intermediate vibrational states by analyzing the form of the PES as a function of pump-probe delay time.¹ The particular method of photoelectron analysis used is the zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) technique² which affords outstanding photoelectron resolution as well as high sensitivity. Results are presented on vibrational dynamics in substituted naphthalene compounds as well as van der Waals molecules of these species. In addition some interesting results of the related ion spectroscopy of these and related species are presented.

© 1991 Optical Society of America