DC slice ion imaging of the ultraviolet photodissociation of BrCN

The photodissociation of jet-cooled BrCN molecules has been investigated by DC slice ion imaging of the Br atom product at wavelengths of 193 and 234 nm. The images reveal that both the ground state (2P3/2) and spin–orbit excited (2P1/2) bromine atoms are produced at both photolysis energies studied. The translational energy measurements show that at 193 nm the CN fragments are vibrationally cold, while the vibrational excitation is much higher in dissociation at 234 nm. Furthermore, the CN vibrational excitation in the spin–orbit excited Br product channel is higher at both wavelengths studied.