VIBRATIONALLY RESOLVED SPECTRA OF C2-C-11 BY ANION PHOTOELECTRON-SPECTROSCOPY

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy has been employed to obtain vibrationally resolved spectra of the carbon molecules C2-C-11. The spectra of C2--C-9- are dominated by linear anion to linear neutral photodetachment transitions. Linear to linear transitions contribute to the C-11- spectrum, as well. From these spectra, vibrational frequencies and electron affinities are determined for the linear isomers of C2-C-9 and C-11. The term value is also obtained for the first excited electronic state of linear C4. The spectra of C-10- and C-11- show evidence for transitions involving cyclic anions and/or neutrals. Similar types of transitions are identified in the spectra of other smaller molecules, specifically C6-, C-8-, and to a lesser extent C5-.