Talk:Autoionization

Switch Autoionization and Molecular autoionization
Autoionization is a common phenomenon in chemistry, and I am guessing that autoionization is less frequently invoked term in physics. A quick check seems to confirm this perspective. Thus, I am recommending that Molecular autoionization be changed to "Autoionization" and the current "autoionization" be changed to Autoionization (physics) or Autoionization (excited state).

By that switch, readers expeditiously find the article they most likely are looking for.--Smokefoot (talk) 17:12, 23 October 2017 (UTC)


 * Perhaps Autoionization should be a disambiguation page, leading to (1) Autoionization (chemistry) or Autoionization (bimolecular) and (2) Autoionization (physics) or Autoionization (excited state). Dirac66 (talk) 22:57, 23 October 2017 (UTC)
 * Sounds good to me. Isn't the chemistry version always bi- (or higher)molecular?--Smokefoot (talk) 00:02, 24 October 2017 (UTC)
 * Yes, but the physics version is unimolecular or uniatomic. Therefore bimolecular is a possible title to specify the chemistry version. Dirac66 (talk) 00:27, 24 October 2017 (UTC)

Add a paragraph about autodetachment
Currently, the term autodetachment redirects here, which I think is appropriate, but there is no mention of this specific process on the page. My ulterior motive is to write a new article page for dissociative electron attachment, and autodetachment is an important aspect of that process. I propose adding the following paragraph:

When the excited state of the atom or molecule consists of a compound state of a neutral particle and a resonantly attached electron, autoionization is referred to as autodetachment. In this case the compound state begins with a net negative charge before the autoionization process, and ends with a neutral charge. The ending state will often be vibrationally or rotationally excited state as a result of excess energy from the resonant attachment process. -- Karl.ahrendsen (talk) 17:48, 30 January 2021 (UTC)


 * Yes, I agree this should be included. Two suggestions: (1) It would be clearer to add the paragraph as a separate section, since the process differs from the usual Autoionization because of the extra electron. (2) The reference citation should be more complete using the Cite journal template. I will copy your final sentence above with the more complete citation: The ending state will often be vibrationally or rotationally excited state as a result of excess energy from the resonant attachment process. Dirac66 (talk) 19:10, 30 January 2021 (UTC)