Infrared photodissociation of fluorinated ethanes and ethylenes: Collisional effects in the multiple photon absorption process

Abstract

The ir photodissociation of fluorinated ethanes and ethylenes produces vibrationally excited HF via collisionless molecular elimination. Monitoring of the time resolved HF fluorescence is used as a probe to examine the effects that collisions with inert gas molecules have on the ir photodissociation process. The addition of inert gas is shown to enhance the dissociation yield. Mechanisms which may be responsible for this enhancement are discussed. An example of consecutive dissociation events within the same laser pulse is presented. The energy absorbed in excess of the minimum required for dissociation, the absorption cross section, and the energy absorption rate of highly vibrationally excited vinyl fluoride are estimated.