Photofragment angular momentum polarization from dissociation of hydrogen peroxide near 355 nm

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was photodissociated at around 355 nm, using both linearly and circularly polarized light. OH((2)Pi) rotational distributions, spin-orbit branching ratios, lambda doublet populations, and angular momentum J polarization in the laboratory and molecule frames were measured by polarized laser probing of the products using laser induced fluorescence. The effects of dynamical torsion and parent molecule bending vibrations on product rotational alignment is discussed, and evidence supporting preferential dissociation of ground-state molecules far from the equilibrium configuration is presented. Possible mechanisms for orientation of product angular momentum in the molecule frame are discussed, and evidence is presented that interference occurs between OH molecules dissociating via the A and B electronic states of H2O2. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.