Photoexcitation, photoionisation and photofragmentation of molecular rubidium halides

Photoionisation and photofragmentation of molecular rubidium halides following photoexcitation in the vacuum ultraviolet region are investigated. For this purpose total and partial ion yield spectra are measured from the vapours of RbF, RbCl, RbBr and RbI. Two different decay channels - spectator and participator type - are studied in different rubidium halide molecules. It is demonstrated that the opening of the spectator channel takes place at different excitation energies, depending on the halide atom in the molecule.