Absolute Cross Sections for Molecular Photoabsorption, Partial Photoionization, and Ionic Photofragmentation Processes

A compilation is provided of absolute total photoabsorption and partial-channel photoionization cross sections for the valence shells of selected molecules, including diatomics (H2, N2, O2, CO, NO) and triatomics (CO2, N2O), simple hydrides (H2O, NH3, CH4), hydrogen halides (HF, HCl, HBr, HI), sulfur compounds (H2S, CS2, OCS, SO2, SF6), and chlorine compounds (Cl2, CCl4). The partial-channel cross sections presented refer to production of the individual electronic states of molecular ions and also to production of parent and specific fragment ions, as functions of incident photon energy, typically from ∼20 to 100 eV. Total photoabsorption cross sections above the first ionization threshold are reported from conventional optical measurements obtained using line and continuum sources and from ‘‘equivalent-photon’’ dipole (e,e) electron scattering experiments. Partial photoionization cross sections for production of electronic states of molecular ions are obtained from photoelectron spectroscopy and from dipole (e,2e) coincidence measurements. Photoionization mass spectrometry and dipole (e, e+ion) coincidence studies provide measurements of partial cross sections for ionic photofragmentation (i.e., dissociative photoionization). Photoelectron anisotropy factors, which together with electronic partial cross sections provide cross sections differential in photon energy and in ejection angle, are also reported. There is generally good agreement between cross sections measured by the physically distinct optical and dipole electron-impact methods. The cross sections and anisotropy factors also compare favorably with selected ab initio and model potential (X-alpha) calculations which provide a basis for interpretation of the measurements.