Two-photon dissociation of NO near 275 nm investigated by velocity map imaging

Abstract

The two-photon dissociation of NO at wavelengths near 275 nm has been investigated by velocity map imaging of the O( 3 P 2 ) dissociation product. Two channels are seen, corresponding to formation of the co-product N atoms in their ground ( 4 S ) and excited ( 2 D ) states, and the relative yields and angular distributions measured. In their regions of maximum yield, the channel forming N( 2 D ) produces unaligned products, whereas that producing N( 4 S ) can be described by a β value of ca. 0.4. N( 2 D )/N( 4 S ) ratios vary by a factor of 60 over a narrow range of excitation energies. The use of two-photon excitation of NO as a source of aligned atoms for reaction stereodynamics is discussed.