Rapid intramolecular V–V energy transfer in SF6

Abstract

The infrared double resonance technique has been used to observe V–V energy transfer from the ν₃ mode of SF₆ to other vibration–rotation levels lying 1000 cm⁻¹ or more above the ground state. Results obtained with nanosecond time resolution indicate that the major portion of the transfer occurs in the absence of collisions. Relevance to laser induced, isotope selective, collisionless dissociation is discussed.