The rotational Predissociation of the CH4+ ion.

peer reviewedThe kinetic energy release distribution of the metastable transition corresponding to CH(D)4+->CH(D)3+ + H(D) dissociation has been measured using a duoplasmatron coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer. The metastable peak is modulated by discrete energy states assigned to vibro-rotational levels of CH(D)4+

La predissociation rotationnelle des ions CH4+ et CD4+.

The metastable transitions producing CH3+/CH4 and CD3+/CD4 have been investigated by means of translational spectroscopy. For the first time structures are observed in a metastable peak corresponding to the dissociation of a polyatomic ion. They are interpreted by tunneling through a rotational barrier from discrete quasi-bound states. Kinetic energy releases have been measured