Benzene clusters

Abstract

The infra-red photodissociation of benzene clusters has been studied in the frequency region 1020–1060 cm^-1 using a CO₂ laser. The infra-red absorption profiles have been measured by monitoring the depletion of signal intensity in a mass spectrometer as a function of laser wavelength for the ion clusters (C₆H₆)_n ⁺ for n = 2 - 10 and (C₆H₆)²⁺ ₂₇. Comparing these results with infra-red data on the various states of benzene, leads to the proposal that the properties of small benzene clusters are best described in terms of a liquid-like rather than a solid-like state. Furthermore, it is suggested that the absorption profile linewidth, which is approximately constant throughout the cluster range investigated, is associated with vibrational dephasing.