Relative product yields in the one-photon and vibrationally mediated photolysis of isocyanic acid (HNCO)

Full-Dimensional Theory of Pair-Correlated HNCO Photofragmentation

Full-dimensional semiclassical dynamical calculations combining classical paths and Bohr quantization of product internal motions are reported for the prototype photofragmentation of isocyanic acid in the S₁ state. These calculations allow one to closely reproduce for the first time key features of state-of-the-art imaging measurements at photolysis wavelengths of 201 and 210 nm while providing insight into the underlying dissociation mechanism. Quantum scattering calculations being beyond reach for most polyatomic fissions, pair-correlated data on these processes are much more often measured than predicted. Our theoretical approach can be used to fill this gap.

Enhancing the branching ratios in the dissociation channels for O(16)O(16)O(18) molecule by designing optimum laser pulses: A study using stochastic optimization

We propose a strategy of using a stochastic optimization technique, namely, simulated annealing to design optimum laser pulses (both IR and UV) to achieve greater fluxes along the two dissociating channels (O(18) + O(16)O(16) and O(16) + O(16)O(18)) in O(16)O(16)O(18) molecule. We show that the integrated fluxes obtained along the targeted dissociating channel is larger with the optimized pulse than with the unoptimized one. The flux ratios are also more impressive with the optimized pulse than with the unoptimized one. We also look at the evolution contours of the wavefunctions along the two channels with time after the actions of both the IR and UV pulses and compare the profiles for unoptimized (initial) and optimized fields for better understanding the results that we achieve. We also report the pulse parameters obtained as well as the final shapes they take.

Selective OD bond dissociation of HOD: photodissociation of vibrationally excited HOD in the 5nu(OD) state

Exclusively selective OD bond dissociation of HOD has been demonstrated by the ultraviolet photodissociation at 243.1 nm through the fourth overtone state of the OD stretching mode (5nu(OD)). Branching ratio between the OH and OD bond dissociation channels has been determined by detecting H and D atoms, utilizing a (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) process. The OD bond dissociation has been solely observed with the branching ratio phi(D+OH)/phi(H+OD)>12, which has been determined by the detection limit for the H atom. Time-dependent wave-packet calculations reveal two important features for the highly selective OD bond dissociation: (1) strong local-mode character of the 5nu(OD) state and (2) limitation of the total excitation energy lower than the saddle point between the OH and OD dissociation channels in the A state. Additionally, the recoil velocity and angular distribution of the nascent D atom are roughly evaluated by analyzing the Doppler-resolved REMPI spectrum. Based on these results, the dynamics of the selective OD dissociation has been discussed in detail.

Bond-selective photodissociation of partially deuterated ammonia molecules: Photodissociations of vibrationally excited NHD2 in the 5νNH state and NH2D in the 5νND state

Ultraviolet photodissociation of NHD(2) excited to the fourth overtone state of the NH stretching mode (5nu(NH)) and NH(2)D excited to that of the ND stretching mode (5nu(ND)) has been investigated by using a crossed laser and molecular beams method. Branching ratio between the NH and ND bond dissociations has been determined by utilizing a (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization scheme of H and D atoms. For the photolysis of NHD(2) in the 5nu(NH) state, the NH dissociation cross section is 5.1+/-1.4 times as large as the ND dissociation cross section per bond. On the other hand, for the photolysis of NH(2)D in the 5nu(ND) state, the ratio of the NH dissociation cross section per bond to the ND dissociation cross section decreases to 0.68+/-0.16. In comparison with the branching ratios for the photolysis of vibrationally unexcited NH(2)D and NHD(2), the present results indicate that the excitation of the NH stretching mode enhances the NH dissociation with ca. two times larger NH/ND branching ratio, whereas the excitation of the ND stretching mode results in the preferential ND dissociation with ca. 3-4 times larger ND/NH branching ratio than that for the vibrational ground states. The mechanism of the bond-selective enhancement has been discussed in terms of the energetics and dynamics of wave packet.