We have characterized the vibrational predissociation (VP) of the Ne(2)Br(2) van der Waals complex using time- and frequency-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. After exciting Br(2) within the complex to a vibrational level 1619. We also report vibrational product state distributions for direct excitation to NeBr(2) 16

Direct measurements of the lifetimes of He(79)Br(2) and Ne(79)Br(2) B-state vibrational levels 10 < or = nu' < or = 20 have been performed using time-resolved optical pump-probe spectroscopy. The values do not obey the energy gap law for direct vibrational predissociation. For both molecules, the dissociation rate for nu'=11 is much faster than for nu'=12, and the nu'=13 rate is also faster than is consistent with the energy gap law. We attribute this unexpected behavior to an electronic predissociation channel. Based on Franck-Condon factors between the Br(2) B-state vibrational wave functions and the possible Br-Br product wave functions, we surmise that either the Br(2) (3)Pi(g)(1(g)) or (2(g)) state is responsible for the electronic predissociation. To our knowledge, this is the first time electronic predissociation and direct Deltanu=-1 vibrational predissociation have been observed to be in competition for a wide range of vibrational levels. As such, this problem deserves a detailed theoretical analysis.

Valence excitation spectra for the linear isomers of He-, Ne-, and Ar-Br2 are reported and compared to a two-dimensional simulation using the currently available potential energy surfaces. Excitation spectra from the ground electronic state to the region of the inner turning point of the Rg-Br2 (B,nu') stretching coordinate are recorded while probing the asymptotic Br2 (B,nu') state. Each spectrum is a broad continuum extending over hundreds of wavenumbers, becoming broader and more blueshifted as the rare gas atom is changed from He to Ne to Ar. In the case of Ne-Br2, the threshold for producing the asymptotic product state reveals the X-state linear isomer bond energy to be 71+/-3 cm(-1). The qualitative agreement between experiment and theory shows that the spectra can be correctly regarded as revealing the one-atom solvent shifts and also provides new insight into the one-atom cage effect on the halogen vibrational relaxation. The measured spectra provide data to test future ab initio potential energy surfaces in the interaction of rare gas atoms with the halogen valence excited state.

We report the first spectroscopic observation of and vibrational predissociation dynamics for ArBr(2). Measurements are reported for the linear and T-shaped isomers with time and frequency resolution near the Fourier limit of a 15 ps pulse. For the T-shaped isomer, the Ar-Br(2) bond energy D(0) for the B state, nu(')=19, is found to be 200 cm(-1), yielding a D(0)(X) value of 213 cm(-1). Product appearance rates are determined for nu(')=16-25 of the B state of ArBr(2). While the rate generally increases with increasing vibrational quantum number, the trend is not monotonic. Also, obtaining reproducible rates for any given vibrational level requires very careful control of the experimental conditions. The data suggest that ArBr(2) undergoes vibrational predissociation (VP) in the sparse intramolecular vibrational relaxation regime. These observations are consistent with theoretical calculations that show that T-shaped ArBr(2) undergoes VP in the sparse regime, such that lifetimes are strongly dependent on both the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers. As for ArI(2), a linear isomer of ArBr(2) is found to contribute a quasicontinuous background to the excitation spectra. Direct excitation of this continuum results in a very broad product vibrational distribution.