Knowledge Bank

The ratio of the populations of $Cl(2P1/2)$ to $Cl(2P3/2)$ produced in the photodissociation of HCl was measured as a function of excitation energy. Three photons were used to excite HCl to the $A\prime \Pi$ continuum state, while two photons were used to populate ten predissociating Rydberg states Multi-photon velocity-aligned Doppler spectroscopy was used to characterize the energetics and symmetry of the two-photon transitions. The $A1\Pi$ results will be compared with the calculations of $Alexanderet.al.1$ and Givertz and $Balint-Kurti2$. The Rydberg states displayed complex behavior. Some of the states gave a statistical branching ratio, others yielded primarily $Cl(2P3/2)$, while still others gave comparable amounts of both Cl states. In some cases the branching ratio varied with rotational angular momentum.