Lage Hedin

Triple ionization spectra by coincidence measurements of double Auger decay: The case of OCS

By combining multiple electron coincidence detection with ionization by synchrotron radiation, we have obtained resolved spectra of the OCS(3+) ion created through the double Auger effect. The form of the spectra depends critically on the identity of the atom bearing the initial hole. High and intermediate level electron structure calculations lead to an assignment of the resolved spectrum from ionization via the S 2p hole. From the analysis it appears that the double Auger effect from closed shell molecules favors formation of doublet states over quartet states. Molecular field effects in the double Auger effect are similar to those in the single Auger effect in linear molecules.

N1s and O1s double ionization of the NO and N2O molecules

Single-site N1s and O1s double core ionisation of the NO and N2O molecules has been studied using a magnetic bottle many-electron coincidence time-of-flight spectrometer at photon energies of 1100 eV and 1300 eV. The double core hole energies obtained for NO are 904.8 eV (N1s(-2)) and 1179.4 eV (O1s(-2)). The corresponding energies obtained for N2O are 896.9 eV (terminal N1s(-2)), 906.5 eV (central N1s(-2)), and 1174.1 eV (O1s(-2)). The ratio between the double and single ionisation energies are in all cases close or equal to 2.20. Large chemical shifts are observed in some cases which suggest that reorganisation of the electrons upon the double ionization is significant. Δ-self-consistent field and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed for both molecules and they are in good agreement with these results. Auger spectra of N2O, associated with the decay of the terminal and central N1s(-2) as well as with the O1s(-2) dicationic states, were extracted showing the two electrons emitted as a result of filling the double core holes. The spectra, which are interpreted using CASSCF and complete active space configuration interaction calculations, show atomic-like character. The cross section ratio between double and single core hole creation was estimated as 1.6 × 10(-3) for nitrogen at 1100 eV and as 1.3 × 10(-3) for oxygen at 1300 eV.

Triple ionization of CO2 by valence and inner shell photoionization

Spectra of triply ionized CO(2) have been obtained from photoionization of the molecule using soft x-ray synchrotron light and an efficient multi-electron coincidence technique. Although all states of the CO(2) (+++) trication are unstable, the ionization energy for formation of molecular ions at a geometry similar to that of the neutral molecule is determined as 74 ± 0.5 eV.

Spectra of the triply charged ion CS23+ and selectivity in molecular Auger effects

Spectra of triply charged carbon disulphide have been obtained by measuring, in coincidence, all three electrons ejected in its formation by photoionization. Measurements of the CS(2)(3+) ion in coincidence with the three electrons identify the energy range where stable trications are formed. A sharp peak in this energy range is identified as the (2)Pi ground state at 53.1+/-0.1 eV, which is the lowest electronic state according to ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Triple ionization by the double Auger effect is provisionally divided, on the basis of the pattern of energy sharing between the two Auger electrons into contributions from direct and cascade Auger processes. The spectra from the direct double Auger effect via S 2p, S 2s, and C 1s hole states contain several resolved features and show selectivity based on the initial charge localization and on the identity of the initial state. Triple ionization spectra from single Auger decay of S 2p-based core-valence states CS(2)(2+) show retention of the valence holes in this Auger process. Related ion-electron coincidence measurements give the triple ionization yields and the breakdown patterns in triple photoionization at selected photon energies from 90 eV to above the inner shell edges.

Core-valence double photoionization of the CS2 molecule

Double photoionization spectra of the CS(2) molecule have been recorded using the TOF-PEPECO technique in combination with synchrotron radiation at the photon energies hν=220, 230, 240, 243, and 362.7 eV. The spectra were recorded in the S 2p and C 1s inner-shell ionization regions and reflect dicationic states formed out of one inner-shell vacancy and one vacancy in the valence region. MCSCF calculations were performed to model the energies of the dicationic states. The spectra associated with a S 2p vacancy are well structured and have been interpreted in some detail by comparison to conventional S 2p and valence photoelectron spectra. The lowest inner-shell-valence dicationic state is observed at the vertical double ionization energy 188.45 eV and is associated with a (2p(3/2))(-1)(2π(g))(-1) double vacancy. The spectrum connected to the C 1s vacancy shows a distinct line at 310.8 eV, accompanied by additional broad features at higher double ionization energies. This line is associated with a (C 1s)(-1)(2π(g))(-1) double vacancy.

An x-ray absorption and a normal Auger study of the fine structure in the S2p?1 region of the CS2 molecule

The photoabsorption spectrum of the CS2 molecule has been recorded in the vicinity of the two S2p3/2,1/2 ionization limits at 169.806 eV and 171.075 eV. Synchrotron radiation was used with photon energies covering the energy range between 160 eV and 175 eV. Extensive structure is observed below the ionization limits. It is associated with transitions to both valence and Rydberg states. The latter contain vibrational fine structure due to excitations of the ν3 asymmetric stretching mode. The vibrational energy is approximately 195 meV in close agreement with previous results obtained from photoelectron spectra for the S2p3/2,1/2 single-hole states. Above the ionization limits, a resonance is observed in the ionization continuum. An electron spectrum recorded on top of this resonance reveals S2p−1 VV Auger transitions at high resolution.