The effect of parent zero-point motion on the ND2 ((A)over-tilde) rotational state distribution in the 193.3 nm photolysis of ND3

The vibrational and rotational product-state distributions of ND2((A) over tilde (2)A(1)) has been probed following the photodissociation of ND3 at 19 3.3 nm by time-resolved Fourier Transform infrared emission spectroscopy. T he dynamics of the bond cleavage are inferred from the product state distri butions by comparison with an earlier study of the photodissociation of NH3 . The degree of excitation about the minor rotational b/c-axes of the produ ct is attributed to the amount of zero-point energy of the parent molecule in the v(4), H-N-H (D-N-D) scissors bending coordinate of the NH3/ND3((A) o ver tilde) predissociative state. A bimodal ND2((A) over tilde(2)A(1)) dist ribution is observed for rotation about the primary a-axis, analogous to th e NH, fragment formed in the photodissociation of NH3. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.