The fluorescence and IR energy deposition from from CO2 laser irradiation of SF6−H2 mixtures

Abstract

The multiple photon excitation and dissociation of SF6 and hydrogen mixtures is measured by using simultaneously pulsed optoacoustic detection to monitor the energy deposition and time resolved HF fluorescence to monitor the production of vibrationally hot HF. From these studies we deduce that at least three mechanisms lead to production of vibrationally excited HF. One mechanism produces free F from the unimolecular laser-induced decomposition of SF6. The second mechanism involves the reaction between two vibrationally hot SF6 molecules to produce free F. In both of these cases the F atom subsequently react with H2 to produce vibrationally hot HF. The third involves the reaction between a vibrationally hot SF6 molecule and a hydrogen molecule producing vibrationally hot HF directly.