Energy disposal in the two-photon laser-assisted reaction in xenon and chlorine gas mixtures

Abstract

The two-photon laser assisted reaction (LAR) in low pressure xenon and chlorine gas mixtures has been studied over a broad range of excitation wavelengths in order to characterize the role of the entrance channel in determining the vibrational state distribution of the reaction products. We measure a high degree of vibrational excitation in the XeCl* product, confirming observations from previous studies of the LAR of Xe+Cl2 collision pairs [Ku et al., J. Phys. Chem. 87, 2989 (1983)], and in distinct contrast with the vibrationally cold excimer observed following laser excitation in molecular beam experiments [Boivineau et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 128, 528 (1986)]. The mean vibrational energy in the XeCl excimer depends strongly on laser wavelength, increasing with decreasing wavelength. Moreover, an increasing fraction of the available energy from the reaction is observed as vibration in the XeCl* product as the laser is tuned toward shorter wavelengths. The reaction outcomes are interpreted in terms of a selectivity of initial conditions on the ionic potential surface that mediates the reactive collision.

Quantum electrodynamics in modern optics and photonics: tutorial

“…This mechanism results in entirely new features in the absorption spectrum, allowing for transitions that are forbidden without any such mutual interaction between molecules. Here, the effect was subsequently experimentally observed in matrixisolated solids, liquids, gases, and molecular beams [196][197][198][199][200][201][202]. Attention has recently been drawn to the connection between providing accurate descriptions of short-range interactions and making due allowance for causality, the latter emerging again, naturally, through the retarded field formulation that is intrinsic to QED [203].…”

State selective dynamics of molecules, clusters, and nanostructures

“…Although one-photon absorption has been studied previously in condensed xenon, 10,11,12 we measured the first two-photon excitation spectra through the band edge of liquid and solid xenon in which direct excitation of the even-parity exciton levels is observed. These measurements were the first ever observation of the even parity excitons in any of the rare gas solids.…”