Production and study of triply charged diatomic ions with femtosecond pulses: Application to Cl-2(3+)

We describe the preparation of diatomic trications using intense femtosecon d laser pulses, and discuss the feasibility of using femtoseond pump-probe techniques to measure the vibrational spectrum of Cl-2(3+). Initial attempt s to observe the vibrational spectra of Cl-2(3+) were unsuccessful. Possibl e refinements to the experiment are guided by calculations of the electroni c states, transition moments, and field-dressed potential curves for Cl-2(3 +). Solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation; using these theore tical data as input allow an accurate simulation of pump-probe experiments and their time-delay signals. Optimization of the experimental parameters v ia the simulation suggests an improved approach to obtaining the spectra of trications, with special emphasis on the unusual aspects of these systems.