Direct, spectroscopic measurement of the rotational state distribution of HCl fragments from the vibrational predissociation of ν2=1 (HCl)2 produced by stimulated Raman excitation

Abstract

Stimulated Raman excitation of (HCl)2 produces dimers with one quantum in the ν2 H–Cl stretch vibration. HCl fragments from predissociation of the dimers are detected by resonant multiphoton ionization (MPI). The HCl rotational state distribution shows a strong propensity to form the highest energetically accessible states.