Energy partitioning following the infrared photofragmentation of SF6•(C6H6)+ cluster ions

Kinetic energy release measurements have been performed following the metastable and infrared photoinduced decay of SF6 .(C6H6)(n)(+) cluster ions. Using a model due to Klots [J. Chem. Phys. 58 (1973) 5364], photofragment kinetic energy releases have been predicted on the assumption that energy from the photon (similar to 950 cm(-1) deposited into the nu(3) of the SF6 moiety) is partitioned statistically throughout the cluster ion. However, a comparison between experimental and calculated results suggests that incomplete energy randomisation may be taking place, and a better description of the photofragmentation process is provided on the assumption that the excited vibrational mode undergoes partial relaxation to either the nu(2) or nu(4) modes. The energy difference (similar to 300 cm(-1)) is then randomised and is reflected in the magnitudes of the measured kinetic energy releases. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.