Spin-orbit interaction mediated molecular dissociation.

The effect of the spin-orbit interaction to photofragmentation is investigated in the mercury(II) bromide (HgBr2) molecule. Changes in the fragmentation between the two spin-orbit components of Hg 5d photoionization, as well as within the molecular-field-splitted levels of these components are observed. Dissociation subsequent to photoionization is studied with synchrotron radiation and photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy. The experimental results are accompanied by relativistic ab initio analysis of the photoelectron spectrum.