Vector and product quantum-state correlations for photofragmentation of formaldehyde

Abstract

The vector correlations of para-H₂(ν= 1, J= 0–8) produced form H₂CO photolysis on the rR₀(0)e line of the 2¹ 4¹ S₁â†� S₀ transition have been measured by analysing Doppler-resolved laser-induced fluorescence line-shapes. The correlations of the H₂CO transition dipole moment µ with the H₂ recoil velocity v and µ with the angular momentum J are small, probably because H₂CO rotates many times between excitation and fragmentation. The correlation of v with J has been found to be between the limiting cases of v∥J and v⊥J. In addition, the H₂(ν, J) linewidths have been used to measure the product state correlation. H₂ fragments in high vibrational states correlate with CO fragments in low rotational states.