Spin-state (Π [formula omitted], Π [formula omitted]) population of no (X, ν″=0, 1, 2, 3) fragments after state-selective photodissociation of CH 3ONO

Abstract

Following selective excitation of CH 3ONO into the NO stretching mode (ν′=0, 1, 2, 3 ) of the S 1 state, the photodissociation products NO(X; ν″=0, 1, 2, 3) were analysed by measuring the rotational energy distributions in the four sublevels 2Π ± 1 2 , 2Π ± 3 2 . Depending on the quantum numbers ν′ (parent) and ν″ (fragment) of the state-to-state process, the spin states Π 1 2 and Π 3 2 are found either equally or differently populated. This effect is proposed to be the result of an adiabatic and a non-adiabatic dissociation path with respect to the vibronic potential surfaces.