Solvation of Hg(3P1) in the HgArn clusters through resonant enhanced multiphoton ionization : evidence for nonadditive effects in the excited state potentials

Mass resolved resonance enhanced excitation spectra of HgArn have been measured in the vicinity of the Hg(6s6p) 3P1→(6s2) 1S0 transition. The spectra are compared with calculations based on additive potentials for both the ground and the excited state. These potentials give reasonable agreement with the experiments. Deviation from this simple model occurs in the excited electronic state mainly for structures where the argon atoms are in the closest approach from the Hg.