Vacuum-UV fluorescence spectroscopy of GeF4 in the 10-25 eV range

Using synchrotron radiation in the 10-25 eV energy range, the vacuum-UV spectroscopy of GeF4 using fluorescence excitation and dispersed emission techniques is reported. Rydberg states that photodissociate to a fluorescing fragment are assigned, and dispersed emission spectra are recorded at the peak energies of the excitation spectrum. Three channels are observed: GeF2 (a) over tilde(3)B(1)-(X) over tilde(1)A(1) phosphorescence, GeF2 (A) over tilde(1)B(1)-(X) over tilde(1)A(1) fluorescence, and emission from the GeF4+ (D) over tilde(2)A(1) state. Both GeF2(a) over tilde(3)B(1) and (A) over tilde(1)B(1) probably form with F-2, and not 2F, as the other product. Using single-bunch mode, Lifetimes of the GeF2 (A) over tilde(1)B(1) and GeF4+ (D) over tilde(2)A(1) states are measured to be 9.3 +/- 0.1 and 5.02 +/- 0.01 ns, respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.