Mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy is applied for
the first time to a metal van der Waals complex, Al-Ar. The experiment
al configuration for MATI uses a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, ori
ented perpendicular to the molecular beam axis, without modification o
f any components. The vibrationally resolved spectrum yields a frequen
cy of omega(e)'' = 67 cm-1 for the ground state of Al+-Ar, and a value
of DELTAG1/2'' = 39 cm-1 for neutral Al-Ar.