High-Rydberg fragment formation via core dissociation of superexcited Rydberg molecules

Formation of high-Rydberg iodine atoms via core dissociation of ArF-excimer-laser excited methyl iodide high-Rydberg molecules is observed using a time-resolved, mass-analyzed, pulsed field ionization technique. This observation confirms that the Rydberg electron is essentially a spectator in the core dissociation process.