Vibrational structure and partial rates of resonant Auger decay of the N 1s -> 2 pi core excitations in nitric oxide - art. no. 062702

High-resolution resonant Auger-electron spectra of NO measured at the N 1s -->2 pi core excitations are presented. The open-shell ground-state electro nic configuration of the molecule results in four excited electronic states , three of which are populated in the photoabsorption spectrum, (2)Delta, ( 2)Sigma (-), and (2)Sigma (+). Electron emission spectra obtained at differ ent vibrational levels of the three N 1s core-excited states of NO are repo rted. Recent ab initio calculations [J. Chem. Phys. 106, 4038 (1997)] are u sed to generate theoretical spectra for comparison with the experimental re sults taking lifetime vibration interference and Auger resonant Raman effec ts into account. The Auger-electron spectra are decomposed into contributio ns from different final ionic states for comparison of the calculated and e xperimental partial Auger decay rates. Revised values for the core-hole lif etime width and Morse potential of the (2)Delta excited state, and for the adiabatic ionization energy of the (1)Delta ionic state are given.