The vibrational predissociation lifetime of the HF dimer upon exciting the ‘‘free-H’’ stretching vibration

Abstract

A computer controlled F-center laser has been used, in conjunction with a molecular beam apparatus employing optothermal detection, to obtain an accurate measurement of the vibrational predissociation lifetime of the HF dimer following ν1 vibrational excitation. The lifetime obtained in this study is 24±2 ns. This is to be compared with a lifetime for ν2 excitation of 1.0±0.1 ns.