Knowledge Bank

Over the past two years we have developed techniques for the study of laser induced fluorescence from molecular cations, both in the gas and in condensed phases. We have observed numerous di- and triatomic ions, and have recently extended our work to more complex polyatomic ions. We will show by the examples of $CS2+,C6F6+$ and $C4H2+$ among others, that in solid Ne matrices vibrationally well resolved electronic spectra can be obtained, which show remarkably little perturbation by the solvent. We will compare the gas phase and solid matrix results and discuss the matrix photoionization process and the guest-solvent interactions.