SO(X(3)SIGMA(-)) PRODUCTION FROM THE 193 NM LASER PHOTOLYSIS OF THIONYL FLUORIDE

The vibrational and rotational state distributions and the primary qua ntum yield of the SO(X(3) Sigma(-)) fragment following the laser photo lysis of F2SO at 193 nm have been measured by using laser-induced fluo rescence spectroscopy on the SO(B-3 Sigma(-)- X(3) Sigma(-)) transitio n. Molecular elimination of F-2 is the only energetically allowed chan nel to produce the SO fragment. The quantum yield measurement, Phi(SO( X))(193nm)=0.06+/-0.01, suggests that other photochemical channels, e. g. FSO+F, must be operative as well.