The (A) over tilde(2)A(1)-(X) over tilde(2)E electronic spectrum of the CD3
O radical has been investigated in detail. By using a variety of techniques
, including rotational structure analysis. over 65 bands terminating on dif
ferent vibronic levels of the A state have been assigned. The branching rat
ios for fluorescence decay vs photofragmentation of these same levels have
also been determined. The detailed spectroscopic mapping of the A state vib
ronic structure is used to interpret the dynamical observations. The fragme
ntation is Found to be rather mode specific, with upsilon(3), the C-O stret
ch, being a major promoting mode, while upsilon(2), the umbrella motion, is
not. Unexpectedly the methyl rock, upsilon(6), also appears to be an affec
tive promoting mode.