Strong Selectivity in Symmetry forbidden vibronic transitions in Deep Core Ionic Photofragmentation of the SF6 molecule

Abstract Deep core photoionization of the sulfur hexafluoride molecule have been studied with X-ray photons at energies around the S K edge (from 2472 eV to 2489 eV), using time-of-flight multicoincidence technique with synchrotron radiation. Total and partial photoion yields for the fragments have been recorded as a function of the incident photon energy. The atomic fluorine ion, F + is the most abundant species observed in the mass spectra at the energy range studied. The SF 6 molecule undergoes a complete break up with the formation of atomic doubly and triply charged S 2+ , S 3+ , and F 2+ fragments. The intensity of absorption for the dipole-forbidden but vibronically allowed transition S K (1a 1g → 6a 1g ) was calculated and it is shown that it play a relevant role in the fragmentation pattern.