The photodissociation dynamics of Au-Xe leading to Xe(+) formation via the Ξ(1∕2)-X(2)Σ(+) (v('), 0) band system (41 500-41 800 cm(-1)) have been investigated by velocity map imaging. Five product channels have been indentified, which can be assigned to photoinduced charge transfer followed by photodissociation in either the neutral or the [Au-Xe](+) species. For the neutral species, charge transfer occurs via a superexcited Rydberg state prior to dissociative ionization, while single-photon excitation of the gold atom in Au(+)-Xe accesses an (Au(+))∗-Xe excited state that couples to a dissociative continuum in Au-Xe(+). Mechanisms by which charge transfer occurs are proposed, and branching ratios for Xe(+) formation via the superexcited Rydberg state are reported. The bond dissociation energy for the first excited state of Au(+)-Xe is determined to be ∼9720 ± 110 cm(-1).
© 2011 American Institute of Physics.