Probing vibrational modes in a neutral triatomic molecule by high-resolution translational-energy spectrometry

Abstract

High-resolution translational-energy spectrometry has been applied to study vibrational excitation in neutral CO₂ in its ground electronic state by 3 ke V impact by O⁺, N⁺, Ne⁺, Ar⁺ and Xe⁺ projectile ions. Three quanta of asymmetric stretch mode are excited. Bending mode vibrational excitation also manifests itself in translational-energy spectra obtained with the heavier projectile ions (Ne⁺, Ar⁺ and Xe⁺). In the case of the O⁺ projectiles, simultaneous electronic (O^+,2D⇔ ²P) and vibrational (CO₂, V₃=0→ 1) excitation is also observed.