STATE-RESOLVED PHOTODISSOCIATION OF N2O

The photodissociation of N2O at 203-205 nm has been investigated using state-resolved resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. The data are consistent with one-photon dissociation occurring via the bent 21A'(B1DELTA) excited state. The dissociation probability increases substantially over a nozzle temperature range 300-1500 K. The N2 fragment is highly rotationally excited as a result of the excited-state geometry. The rotational distribution of the N2 fragment is peaked at 1.4 eV and has a width of 0.6 eV. The average rotational energy of the N2 product is 1.4 +/- 0.1 eV; the average translational energy is 0.38 +/- 0.04 eV. There is no observed vibrational excitation in the N2 Product. The O(1D) product has an average translational energy of 0.67 +/-0.06 eV. The rotational energy of the products accounts for 57 +/- 4% and the translational energy accounts for 43 +/- 4% of the energy available to the products.