Influence of the ground-state potential on the product rotational/translational correlation in the photon-stimulated desorption of NO

The origin of the product rotational/translational correlation in photon-stimulated desorption from various solid surfaces is discussed in the framework of the Menzel–Gomer–Redhead and Antoniewicz models. Time-dependent quantum calculations with a two-dimensional model reveal two competing desorption pathways. The direct channel gives rise to a positive rotational/translational correlation, while the indirect desorption is dominated by a negative correlation due to energy redistribution on the ground state. The relative importance of the two desorption channels depends on the topology of both the ground- and excited-state potentials. The influence of the ground-state potential is examined in this Letter.