Mapping potential energy surfaces by core electron excitation: the resonant Auger decay spectrum of BF3
High-resolution electron spectroscopy applied under resonant Auger-Raman conditions is shown to be a powerful tool for characterizing complex potential energy surfaces of core-excited states in polyatomic systems. BF3 is used as a prototype molecule: excitation of the Bls --> 2a(2)(") transition leads to an exceptional out-of-plane vibrational excitation resolved over a wide energy range (3.6 eV).