Knowledge Bank

Ne- or Ar-CN complexes were generated by photodissociation of ICN in expansions of pure Ne or Ar. The Ne-CN complex was observed by excitation of the B-X 0.0 transition, and detection of either resonance fluorescence or emission from the $CNA2\Pi$ Photofragment(i.e., $Ne-CN(B)\to Ne+CN(A))$. Detection of the complex via both A and B state emissions shows the electronic predissociation takes place at a rate which competes with relative relaxation ($\tau =62ns$ for CN(B)). Partial rotational resolution was achieved for two sub-bands of NeCN. A preliminary analysis of this data indicates a T shaped geometry, with little change in the interaction potential on electronic excitation. Ar-CN complexes were observed by excitation of the B-X system, and detection of the CN(A) photofragment. Emission from ArCN(B), or CN(B) from photodissociation was too weak to be detected. The exciation spectrum consisted ofa broad gaussian-like continuum occuring on the high-frequency side of the CN B-X 0-0 Transition. This continuum is thought to arise from direct excitation of the repulsive limb of the Ar-CN(B) potential surface