Electron detachment and charge exchange to shape resonances in F⁻-molecule collisions

Results of a time of flight energy loss and electron spectroscopy study of collisions of F - with some common molecules are presented. Existence of charge exchange to shape resonances in these collisions is demonstrated. It is shown that this process onsets at relatively high collision energies which roughly correspond to the same projectile velocity range as in the case of H - -molecule collisions studied previously. As in low-energy H - -molecule collisions non-Franck-Condon effects in charge exchange are observed. Excitation processes of the target molecule are shown to constitute an important detachment channel.