Distribution of final states resulting from the autoionization of the Σg1(2pσu2) states of H2 and D2

Using a simple classical model, we calculate the distribution of final states resulting from the autoionization of the Σg1(2pσu2) state of H2(D2) to the 2Σg(1sσg) state of H2+(D2+). The population of vibrational levels differs markedly from that predicted by the Franck-Condon principle for direct ionization. The calculated kinetic energy distributions of H+ and D+ have maxima at threshold (Ekin=0). The probability of forming dissociated products is smaller for D2 than H2.