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The energy difference between the threshold for free ion-pair formation (X+ + Y−) and the molecular ionization energy (XY+) is relatively large in I2 and ICl. Photodissociation to free ion-pairs in this energy region has been probed by vacuum ultraviolet laser radiation generated by four-wave mixing. The negative ion excitation spectra are highly structured and closely follow the one-photon absorption cross-sections. Several Rydberg series are identified, the f series being particularly prominent. Direct absorption to the free ion-pair continuum is negligible in this region and all of the Rydberg states that are accessed act as efficient doorway states to ion-pair production.
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Lawley et al. (2002) studied this question.
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