High resolution photodetachment from the rubidium negative ion around the Rb(5p1/2) threshold

Total and partial cross sections as well as electron angular distributions for photodetachment from Rb- have been measured with high photon energy resolution (of approximately 0.1 cm-1 or less) in the region around the Rb(5p1/2) threshold. Accurate branching ratios for the population of the Rb(5s) and Rb(5p1/2) states are determined and interesting structure at the Rb(5p1/2) threshold is resolved. The electron affinity of Rb(5s) is found to be 3919.18(16) cm-1.