Interference in the Photo-Ionization of Molecules

Initial observations by Samson of the far-uv photoabsorption by molecules suggest that the spectrum of photoelectrons emerging from a multicenter molecular field is modulated by interferences. This effect is discussed in terms of Huygens' approach and of a partial-wave analysis with a Born-approximation calculation. It is compared with processes of diffraction by molecules. It appears related to the onset of photo-ionizing transitions to states of increasing orbital momenta which occurs at increasing photon energies.