Predissociation dynamics of the A2Σ+ state of SH radical: Fine-structure state distributions of the S(3PJ) products

Photo-predissociation of rovibrational levels of SH (A(2)Sigma(+), v ' = 0-6) is studied using the high-n Rydberg atom time-of-flight technique. Spin-orbit branching fractions of the S(P-3(J=2,1,0)) products are measured in the product translational energy distributions. The SH A(2)Sigma(+) v ' = 0 state predissociates predominantly via coupling to the (4)Sigma(-) repulsive state. As the vibrational level v ' increases, predissociation dynamics change drastically, with all three repulsive states ((4)Sigma(-), (2)Sigma(-), and (4)Pi) involved in the dissociation. Nonadiabatic interactions and quantum interferences among these dissociation pathways affect the fine-structure state distributions of the S(P-3(J=2,1,0)) products.

Automated summary

Photo-predissociation of rovibrational levels of SH(A(2)Sigma(+)) is studied, and the spin-orbit branching fractions of the products are measured to investigate the predissociation dynamics of different vibrational levels. It is found that the predissociation dynamics change drastically as the vibrational level increases.