Photofragment spectroscopy of O3+

Abstract

Photofragment kinetic energy distributions have been measured for O⁺ fragments from the photodissociation of O₃⁺ over the wavelength range from 4579 to 7525 Å, using a fast ion beam photofragment spectrometer. Three vibrational levels of the ground state of O₃⁺ are observed, and vibrational spacings determined. The partition of energy into rotation and translation of the product O₂ molecule is measured for transitions from each of these three vibrational levels. Partition of energy into vibration of the O₂ photofragement is also observed. The polarization of the transition leading to dissociation is determined to be more nearly parallel than perpendicular. The results are interpreted in terms of the structure of O₃⁺ and the dissociation process, and are compared with results from the photoionization of O₃, and with theoretical calculations.