INTERMOLECULAR V-V ENERGY-TRANSFER IN THE PHOTODISSOCIATION OF CO2-HF(V=1)

Photofragment final state distributions have been measured for the vib rational predissociation of CO2-HF corresponding to excitation of the H-F stretching vibration. The method used in these studies combines ph otofragment translational spectroscopy, pendular state orientation met hods, and laser probing to provide distributions that include the inte rfragment state correlations. The results clearly show that the domina nt dissociation channel involves intermolecular V- V energy transfer c orresponding primarily to excitation of the asymmetric stretching vibr ation of the CO2 fragment. The dissociation energy of the complex has also been determined to be 672 +/- 4 cm(-1). (C) 1998 American Institu te of Physics.