OBSERVATION OF METASTABLE AUTODETACHING STATES OF METHIDE, $CH_{3}^{-a}$

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2000

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Ohio State University

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Abstract

Metastable autodetaching states of methide, $CH^{-}_{3}$, have been observed, with an autodetachment lifetime of tens to hundreds of $\mu$s. The excited state responsible for autodetachment is unknown, but could be a vibrationally excited state, because one vibrational quantum of the $\nu_{1}, \nu_{3}$, or $\nu_{4}$ vibrational mode has enough internal energy to produce autodetachment of the low-electron -affinity (0.08 eV) ion. The long lifetime may arise from small Frank-Condon overlap between the initial pyramidal ion and the final planar neutral. There are presently no theoretical calculations of the autodetachment mechanism or lifetimes.

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$^{a}$ Supported by DOE/EPSCoR
Author Institution: Department of Physics, University of Nevada

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