Preparation and probing of Ar–Cl radical complexes from UV photodissociation of the Ar–HCl cluster

Photodissociation of Ar–HCl is simulated by exact wavepacket calculations. The asymptotic wavepacket is projected out onto the product states corresponding to several excitation energies of Ar–HCl. A high relative efficiency of Ar–Cl formation is found at low and high cluster excitation energies. The ro-vibrational state distribution of the Ar–Cl radical formed is reflected in the kinetic-energy distribution of the H fragment. Photolysis of Ar–HCl then appears as an efficient method for preparing Ar–Cl radicals, simultaneously probing their final state distribution.