Oscillations in the total photodetachment cross sections of a linear triatomic negative ion

TL;DR

This paper derives the total photodetachment cross section for a linear triatomic negative ion with laser light parallel to its axis, revealing strong oscillations explained by closed orbit theory, contrasting previous perpendicular polarization results.

Contribution

It provides a new analytical derivation of the photodetachment cross section for triatomic ions with parallel laser polarization, highlighting oscillatory behavior and comparison with diatomic molecules.

Findings

Strong oscillations in the cross section for parallel polarization

Contrast with previous perpendicular polarization results

Application of closed orbit theory to explain oscillations

Abstract

The total photodetachment cross section of a linear triatomic negative ion using plane polarized laser light parallel to the axis of the molecular ion is derived. The cross section shows strong oscillations in contrast to the recently reported case, where the laser polarization was perpendicular to the axis of the triatomic molecular ion (Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 041125, 2009). Closed orbit theory is used to explain these oscillations and the results are compared with a diatomic molecule.