Knowledge Bank

Ionic clusters $C6F6+-Rn$ (R - He, Ne or Ar, n - 1 to -10) in a supersonic jet were studied by monitoring their laser-induced fluorescence and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectra simultaneously. In addition to sharp transitions due to small clusters (n --- 1 and 2), broad features were observed in the LIF spectra. These features were attributed to the transitions of larger clusters ($n>2$). The behavior of the cluster transitions under various expansion conditions and the correlation between the LIF and TOF spectra will be discussed. Explanations of the spectral shifts of various cluster sizes, based upon the structure of the clusters, will be offered.