Photodissociation of ICN in a brute-force field: detection of the (I∗ 2P1/2) product

This Letter presents evidence of orientation and selective dissociation of ICN. In an electric field up to 56 kV/cm, a supersonically cooled molecular beam of ICN was oriented through the electrostatic interaction between the permanent dipole moment and the field. The yield of I∗ showed a strong preference for parallel excitation. Analysis of this effect indicated that at 266 nm, the absorption was dominated by a parallel transition, while at 250 nm, it may contain a perpendicular component. This conclusion is in accord with our previous results on the CN fragment, and reports from other theoretical and experimental efforts. Although qualitative, this work demonstrates the feasibility and applications of this orientation technique.