Simultaneous one- and two-photon processes in the photodissociation of NCNO using a tunable dye laser

Photodissociation of NCNO in the region 660–732 nm shows that direct excitation to a state different than S1 is responsible for dissociation following one-photon absorption at wavelengths <720 nm. Also, throughout the region 660–732 nm, a second photon can easily excite molecules in S1, thereby leading to efficient two-photon photodissociation. It is possible to distinguish between the one- and two-photon processes, which produce rotationally ‘‘cold’’ and ‘‘hot’’ CN radicals, respectively. (AIP)