Determination of transition dipole matrix elements for the 266 nm photofragmentation of ∣JKM〉 state-selected CD3I

The photofragmentation of rovibrational energy-level and magnetic-state polarized (X1A1)CD3I∣JKM〉≡∣111〉 was performed at 266 nm. The ∣NK) rotational energy level distribution and the angular momentum polarization of the vibrationless (X2A″2) CD3 photofragment were measured by (2+1) REMPI. State-selecting the parent CD3I allowed the elements of the transition dipole matrix (or T-matrix) to be determined by relating the initial system (CD3I plus photon) statistical tensors to measured product statistical moments. This is believed to be the first report of the experimental determination of T-matrix elements for a chemical reaction.