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Photofragment angular momentum distribution beyond the axial recoil approximation: predissociation
Vladislav V Kuznetsov1, Oleg S Vasyutinskii
1State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, 190000 St. Petersburg, Russia.
This study details quantum mechanical expressions for photofragment angular momentum distribution during slow predissociation. The findings reveal how molecular rotation influences fragment polarization, offering insights into photodissociation dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Molecular Dynamics
Background:
- Understanding photofragment angular momentum distribution is crucial for elucidating photodissociation mechanisms.
- Previous theoretical treatments have not fully incorporated molecular axis rotation's effect on electronic angular momentum polarization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive quantum mechanical expressions for the angular momentum distribution of photofragments in slow predissociation.
- To explicitly account for the role of molecular axis rotation on fragment electronic angular momentum polarization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized adiabatic body frame representation of the molecular electronic wave function.
- Employed rigorous expressions for fragment state multipoles derived from scattering wave function formalism.
- Considered radial nonadiabatic interactions and analyzed different optical excitation schemes.
Main Results:
- Developed theoretical framework for angular momentum distribution in slow predissociation.
- Demonstrated that molecular rotation significantly impacts electronic angular momentum polarization of photofragments.
- Showed polarization depends on the specific photodissociation mechanism.
Conclusions:
- The derived expressions provide a detailed understanding of photofragment angular momentum polarization.
- Molecular rotation plays a key role in determining the polarization of photofragments.
- The degree of polarization is sensitive to the photodissociation pathway.
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