Photodissociation Spectrum of CO3−: Evidence for a Bound Excited State

Abstract

The photodissociation cross section for $\mathrm{C}{{\mathrm{O}}_3}^{-}+h\nu \to \mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_2+{\mathrm{O}}^{-}$ has been measured from 6400 to 5650 Å using a drift-tube mass spectrometer and a continuously tunable dye laser. The cross section has very detailed structure, which is interpreted as reflecting the vibrational levels of a bound, predissociating state of C${\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$.