Vibrationally resolved states in the HS fragment studied by means of electron-excited Auger spectroscopy

An autoionization spectrum of the H₂S molecule has been identified from the comparison between the Auger electrons recorded by means of high-resolution electron-beam and monochromatic Al K{α} exciting sources. Due to the high energy resolution the measured kinetic energies can be used for a precise assignment. Our results support a model of a fast dissociation of the core-excited H₂{S}*$ (2p${)}^{{{-}}1}$(6${a}₁)¹ and (2p)^-1(3b₂{)}¹$ states into core-excited ${HS}*$ (2p${)}^{{{-}}1}(2π{)}⁴$ followed by autoionization decay into the ${HS}⁺$ radical. Vibrational structures are resolved and assigned to the $³{{Σ}}^{{{-}}}$ and $¹{{Δ}}$ final states in the ${HS}⁺$ radical. No participator Auger process in ${H}₂S* could be identified. However, contributions from the spectator process in H₂{S}*$ might be present.