An experimental and theoretical study of the resonant Auger spectrum of the ethene molecule

Resonant Auger spectra of the ethene molecule excited at energies across the C1s -> pi* energy band are reported. Our measurements address the unexpected variation of the intensity of the A state with respect to the other singly ionized valence states. An approach, based on group theory and calculations using Coulomb 4-center integrals, is proposed to explain the behaviour of the intensity of the ground state and excited states of the ion upon resonant excitation. The new method provides a calculationally inexpensive route to predict relative intensities of different resonant Auger bands in polyatomic molecules, without the need for an exhaustive knowledge of the potential energy surfaces of the electronic states involved.