Knowledge Bank

An excimer laser (ArF) has been used to produce 2-photon photoionization of organic molecules, e.g. $C6F6,C6H3F3,$ etc. in a free jet expansion. Laser induced fluorescence spectra of these bare ions cooled to near $0\circ K$ has been observed. Moreover, spectra of those same ions complexed with the inert gases, He, Ne, and Ar have been recorded. A description of these ion cluster spectra will be given. Differences in spectral shifts, lineshapes, etc., and their implications for bonding energies will be described. Other observations will be briefly discussed.