PHOTODISSOCIATION OF NE-2(+)

The dissociation energy of Ne2+ has been measured by means of photofragment spectroscopy of the molecular ions in a crossed laser/fast-ion-beam configuration. The repulsive C2-SIGMA-g+ state was excited by a laser via the C2-SIGMA-g+ <-- X2-SIGMA-u+ transition and the released kinetic energy was measured by an electrostatic energy analyser. Potential curves of Ne2+ were calculated by the CASSCF/MRCCI method. The experimentally derived dissociation energy of Ne2+, 1.35 +/- 0.1 eV, is consistent with the theoretical value of 1.32 eV.