A Velocity Map Imaging Study of Multiphoton Photodissociation and Photoionisation Dynamics in Niobium Oxide, NbO

Velocity map imaging has transformed our capabilities in terms of determining photofragmentation and photoionisation thresholds. Here, we present an investigation into the multi-photon dissociation and photoionisation dynamics of niobium monoxide (NbO) probed using velocity-map imaging via theC(4)sigma(-)<- X-4 sigma(-)andB(4)pi <- X-4 sigma(-)transitions. Analysis of the kinetic energy release spectra permits determination of refined values of the dissociation energies for NbO and NbO(+)of 60,650 +/- 124 and 57,414 +/- 124 cm(-1), respectively, in good agreement with previous values using other methods. With the same instrument, we have further recorded photoelectron images which exhibit a long progression assigned to the production of the ground state,X-3 sigma-NbO+(v(+)), for which a vibrational constant of 1002 +/- 11 cm(-1)is determined.