Hyperfine quantum beats from photolytic orientation and alignment

Matthew L. Costen*, Gregory E. Hall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using Doppler-resolved transient frequency modulation absorption spectroscopy, we have measured both alignment and orientation quantum beats arising from nuclear hyperfine depolarization of low rotational levels of CN X 2Σ+ photofragments produced in the ultraviolet photodissociation of ICN. Under our conditions of fully resolved fine-structure and completely unresolved hyperfine structure, the observed time evolution is insensitive to the rapid depolarization of angular momentum N that would be observed if the fine-structure components were not resolved. Non-statistical spin-rotation populations of CN photofragments, previously observed only for high rotational states, are now observed even for the lowest rotational states, indicating that the electron can not be considered a spectator spin in the depolarization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1408-1413
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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