The fragmentation of the tetrachloromethane molecule, following core-shell
photoexcitation and photoionization in the neighborhood of the chlorine K-edge has
been studied by using time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and monochromatic
synchrotron radiation. Branching ratios for ionic dissociation were derived for all
detected ions, which are informative of the decay dynamics and photofragmentation
patterns of the core-excited species. In addition, the absorption yield has been
measured, with a new assignment of the spectral features. The structure that appears
above the Cl 1s ionization potential in the photoionization spectrum, has been ascribed
in terms of the existing connection with electron-CCl4 scattering through experimental
data and calculations for low-energy electron-molecule cross sections. In addition, the
production of the doubly ionized Cl2+ as a function of the photon energy has been
analysed in terms of a simple and appealing physical picture, the half-collision model.
PACS numbers: 33.80.-b, 33.80.Eh
Keywords: Photofragmentation, Ion branching ratios, Deep core, Ionization,
Photoionization, CCl4, Tetrachloromethane, Synchrotron radiation, Chlorine Kedge,
Cl 1s, Photoabsorption, X-rays.
