Multi-ion coincidence measurements of methyl chloride following photofragmentation near the chlorine K-edge

Relaxation dynamics of CH3Cl following core-shell photoexcitation in the ne ighbourhood of the chlorine K-edge (approximate to 2.8 keV) were studied vi a multi-ion coincidence measurements using a time-of-flight mass spectromet er. The data provide evidence for sequential fragmentation moderated by Cou lombic interactions among the fragments. The sequential nature of the fragm entation indicates that chemical forces, especially between the carbon and chlorine atoms, are dominant in determining the kinematics of the fragmenta tion. This is especially true on resonance where fast dissociation is obser ved following electron excitations to the 8a(1) antibonding orbital.