Fragmentation kinematics of SF6 upon photo-excitation of S(2p) core shell and subsequent Auger decays

Abstract

The fragmentation kinematics of SF6 upon S(2p) core excitation is studied by a combination of Auger electron-multi-ion coincidence technique and ion momentum spectroscopy. Fragmentation of SF6 is studied for excitation at S 2p1/2 threshold and 4eg shape resonance transition for Auger decays resulting into molecular ions with different electronic configurations. Changes in the branching ratios of fragmentation channels with the photo–excitation energies imply activation of different Auger decay pathways. Experimentally measured kinetic energies of fragment ions indicate that the energy gained by the excited molecular ions is mostly converted to internal energy of neutral/ionic fragments or kinetic energy of neutral fragments.