Observation of the C(3/2)←X(1/2) transition in XeF

Abstract
XeF(Xv′′), produced by KrF laser photodissociation of XeF2, is excited by a doubled dye laser to XeF(Bv) and XeF(Cv), and the broadband BA and CA fluorescence is detected. The B and C states are distinguished by their differing decay times at low pressure. The CX transition is observed for the first time through its fluorescence excitation spectrum. The vibrational analysis of the CX bands locates the C(v′=0) level at 775 cm1 below the B(v′=0) level, and yields the first experimental vibrational constants for the C state. A band shape analysis of the CX bands suggests that the equilibrium internuclear separation of the C state lies around 2.45 Å. Vibrational relaxation and vibrationally resolved collision‐induced dissociation of XeF(Xv′′) is also observed.