State selective predissociation spectroscopy of hydrogen chloride ions (HCl+) via the A(2)Sigma(+) <- X-2 Pi(3/2) transition

The photodissociation of hydrogen chloride ions (HCl+) has been investigate d through the A(2)Sigma(+) (upsilon' = 6, 7 and 8) <-- X(2)Pi(3/2) (upsilon " = 0) transition. The spectra reveal that state selective photodissociati on with complete resolution of the spin, orbital, and rotational angular mo mentum is possible in the A(2)Sigma(+) (upsilon' = 6) state. The analysis o f these spectra yields the rotational and the spin-rotation coupling consta nt of the A(2)Sigma(+) (upsilon' = 6) state. The lifetime of HCl+ decreases significantly with increasing vibrational excitation in the (2)Sigma(+) st ate. Within the experimental error limits no J dependence of the lifetime i s observed. The state selective photodissociation of the HCl+ ions is also shown to be a very sensitive probe for unexpected parity transitions in the 2 + 1 REMPI formation of the HCl+ ions in the X(2)Pi(3/2) (upsilon " = 0) state.