Photofragment translational spectroscopy of ICl near 304 and 280 nm: Observation of an intense hot band effect

The photodissociation dynamics of ICl has been studied near 304 and 280 nm on a simple miniature time of flight (mini-TOF) photofragment translational spectrometer with a short pulse of a weak acceleration field. An intense hot band effect was observed. Many small peaks were resolved in each photofragment translational spectrum (PTS). Based on simulations, the principal peaks were assigned not only to the different photodissociation channels (1) I + Cl, (2) I + Cl*, (3) I* + Cl, or (4) I* + Cl*, but also to the different chlorine isotopes (Cl-35 and Cl-37). Moreover, some extra peaks showed the existence of an intense hot band effect from vibrationally excited ICl molecules, though only a few percent of ICl molecules remained in the vibrationally excited states in our supersonic molecular beam. Based on the spectra near 304 nm, the quantum yield I broken vertical bar of each channel, the curve crossing, and the branching fraction sigma from each transition state were determined