Full-dimensional characterization of photoelectron spectra of HOCO(-) and DOCO(-) and tunneling facilitated decay of HOCO prepared by anion photodetachment.

The photodetachment of both the HOCO(-) and DOCO(-) anions is investigated using full-dimensional quantum wave packets on new ab initio based global potential energy surfaces for both the neutral and anionic species. The calculated electron affinities and neutral fundamental vibrational frequencies of both isotopomers are in good agreement with available experimental data. The measured photoelectron spectra are also accurately reproduced, further validating the accuracy of the potential energy surfaces. In addition, strong mode specificity is found in the lifetimes of the HOCO vibrational features and the tunneling facilitated predissociation rates to H + CO2 are rationalized using the recently proposed sudden vector projection model.