Vector and product quantum-state correlations for photofragmentation of formaldehyde

The vector correlations of para-H2(ν= 1, J= 0–8) produced form H2CO photolysis on the rR0(0)e line of the 21 41 S1â†� S0 transition have been measured by analysing Doppler-resolved laser-induced fluorescence line-shapes. The correlations of the H2CO transition dipole moment µ with the H2 recoil velocity v and µ with the angular momentum J are small, probably because H2CO rotates many times between excitation and fragmentation. The correlation of v with J has been found to be between the limiting cases of v∥J and v⊥J. In addition, the H2(ν, J) linewidths have been used to measure the product state correlation. H2 fragments in high vibrational states correlate with CO fragments in low rotational states.