Multiphoton dissociation dynamics of CH3Br

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2009 Apr 7;11(13):2234-40. doi: 10.1039/b815824j. Epub 2009 Feb 9.

Abstract

The state-resolved photodissociation dynamics of CH3Br+ cations are studied using a combination of slice imaging and velocity mapping. Parent ions are prepared by (2 + 1) two-photon resonant three-photon ionization of CH3Br through the 5s Rydberg state in the energy region 29,069.8-29,976.0 cm(-1). Analysis of the photoelectron spectra reveals that CH3Br+ ions are produced in the spin-orbit ground electronic state with a wide distribution of vibrational excitation. The photodissociation of CH3Br+ produces CH3+ (X) + Br(2P(1/2))/Br(2P(3/2)) whose product state distribution shows substantial excitation in the umbrella mode of the CH3+ photofragment, especially when concurrently producing the Br(2P(1/2)) channel. The shapes of the photofragment angular distributions clearly show the different dissociation mechanisms in the Br(2P(1/2)) and Br(2P(3/2)) channels. The dissociation dynamics of the 5s Rydberg state of CH3Br are also presented and analyzed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't