Photodissociation of the {HeH$^+$} molecular ion

TL;DR

This study calculates the photodissociation cross section of HeH$^+$ molecular ion for various orientations and states, comparing results with recent experimental data, and finds good agreement within uncertainties.

Contribution

It provides detailed theoretical calculations of HeH$^+$ photodissociation cross sections considering different orientations and vibrational states, aligning with recent experimental results.

Findings

Theoretical and experimental results are compatible within uncertainties.

Cross sections vary with molecular orientation and vibrational states.

The study advances understanding of HeH$^+$ photodissociation mechanisms.

Abstract

The photodissociation cross section of the molecular ion HeH$^+$ was calculated within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation for a parallel, a perpendicular, and an isotropic orientation of the molecular axis with respect to the field, considering also different initial vibrational and rotational states. The results were compared to recent data from a free-electron laser experiment performed at the FLASH facility [H.B. Pedersen {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 223202, (2007)]. Within the experimental uncertainties theoretical and experimental results are compatible with each other.