Communication: electron transfer mediated decay enabled by spin-orbit interaction in small krypton/xenon clusters

In this work we study the influence of relativistic effects, in particular spin-orbit coupling, on electronic decay processes in KrXe2 clusters of various geometries. For the first time it is shown that inclusion of spin-orbit coupling has decisive influence on the accessibility of a specific decay...

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Main Authors: Zobel, J. Patrick (Author) , Kryzhevoi, Nikolai V. (Author) , Pernpointner, Markus (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 25 April 2014
In: The journal of chemical physics
Year: 2014, Volume: 140, Issue: 16
ISSN:1089-7690
DOI:10.1063/1.4873134
Online Access:Resolving-System, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4873134
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.4873134
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Author Notes:J. Patrick Zobel, Nikolai V. Kryzhevoi, and Markus Pernpointner
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Summary:In this work we study the influence of relativistic effects, in particular spin-orbit coupling, on electronic decay processes in KrXe2 clusters of various geometries. For the first time it is shown that inclusion of spin-orbit coupling has decisive influence on the accessibility of a specific decay pathway in these clusters. The radiationless relaxation process is initiated by a Kr 4s ionization followed by an electron transfer from xenon to krypton and a final second ionization of the system. We demonstrate the existence of competing electronic decay pathways depending in a subtle way on the geometry and level of theory. For our calculations a fully relativistic framework was employed where omission of spin-orbit coupling leads to closing of two decay pathways. These findings stress the relevance of an adequate relativistic description for clusters with heavy elements and their fragmentation dynamics.
Item Description:Gesehen am 04.09.2020
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1089-7690
DOI:10.1063/1.4873134