THE BINDING-ENERGY OF NI+CENTER-DOT-N2O

The electrostatic complex of Ni+ with a single nitrous oxide molecule, Ni+. N2O, has been studied by resonant photodissociation spectroscopy . Optical absorptions are detected via predissociation of the ion into Ni+ and N2O fragments. A cutoff in the resonant photofragmentation is observed below 17230 cm(-1) which represents the threshold for the lo west quartet dissociation pathway. This places the binding energy of t he Ni+. N2O complex at 1.096 +/- 0.003 eV. The binding energy of this complex is only slightly greater (approximate to 16 meV) than that of the similar compound, Ni+. CO2. Speculation is presented supporting a T-shaped ground state geometry in both species.