FRAGMENTATION OF AR-3(+) CLUSTERS VIA VIBRATIONAL PREDISSOCIATION

The three-dimensional potential energy surface of the ground electroni c density of the Ar-3(+) cluster is computed within a density function al framework and employed in a dynamical study of the vibrational pred issociation channel as a possible fragmentation pathway for the comple x. A remarkable tendency for the vibrational predissociation process t o slow down as J increases from 0 to 2 is clearly shown by our calcula tions, in agreement with previous studies that stressed the role playe d by the overall rotational temperature of the various clusters in cau sing an unusually large range of lifetimes in such resonant break-up p rocesses.