Mass-selected molecular ion spectra: (1+1)-Photodissociation spectroscopy of CH₃I⁺ and CD₃I⁺

The first well resolved (1+1)-photodissociation spectra of molecular ions are presented. By separating the spectroscopic step (first photon) and the dissociation step (second photon) we could extend the accessible spectral region of CH₃I⁺ and CD₃I⁺ considerably. The ions are prepared in the vibrationless ground state by MPI in a supersonic molecular beam. A new detection technique is presented with high discrimination between wanted and unwanted ionic species. Furthermore, another new technique for unimolecular decay measurements delivers useful information for the assignment of the ion spectra. We found an improved assignment for CH₃I⁺ and CD₃I⁺ with consequences for molecular constants.