A comparative investigation of Rydberg-state survival in several molecules using mass-analyzed threshold ionization

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization experiments have enabled mapping of the n-dependent Rydberg state survival probability for a series of molecules. Utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photons, one-photon Rydberg manifold spectra of Ar, HCl, N2, C6H6 and O2 were produced, and the prospects of photoinduced Rydberg ionization experiments examined. It was found that the widths of Rydberg manifolds for the molecules studied are quite different. Hydrogen chloride and nitrogen have the narrowest manifold width, followed by benzene, and then oxygen. These varying widths are most strongly correlated with the angular momentum (i.e., quantum defect) of the initially prepared Rydberg orbital.