THE HECL2 POTENTIAL - A COMBINED SCATTERING-SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY

Total differential scattering angular distribution measurements for He scattering from Cl2 are reported. The scattering data are combined with previous excitation spectroscopy and vibrational predissociation product state distributions for He-Cl2 to determine the potential-energy surfaces for the ground X and excited B electronic states. The potentials are somewhat deeper, D(e) = -38.2 cm-1 for the X state, than previously estimated. The X state potential minimum is for the ''T'' shaped configuration with a R(min) value of 3.55 angstrom. The potentials are quite successful at describing the scattering data, the rotationally resolved spectroscopy of the complex, and the product state distributions for vibrational predissociation. The B state potential underestimates the dependence of the rate of vibrational predissociation on the initial vibrational level.