Multiphoton dissociation of molecules with low power cw infrared lasers: collisional enhancement of dissociation probabilities

Multiphoton dissociation of C₃F⁺₆ is observed using low intensity cw CO₂ laser radiation. Ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) techniques are used to store ions for irradiation. Ion storage times up to 2 s are used. Multiphoton dissociation is observed at laser intensities below 100 W cm^?2 and at pressures below 10^?5 Torr. Only the lowest energy decomposition of C₃F⁺₆, to give C₂⁺₄ and CF₂, is observed. Multiphoton dissociation probabilities show a sharp wavelength dependence in contrast to typical pulsed laser multiphoton dissociation experiments. The photodissociation spectrum of C₃F⁺₆ is similar to the infrared absorption spectrum of neutral C₃F₆ at both low and high resolution. Collisions between C₃F⁺₆ and unreactive buffer gases (Ar, N₂, SF₆) are seen to enhance multiphoton dissociation, while collisions with C₃F₆ deactive the laser excited species. The results are discussed in terms of mechanisms for slow multiphoton dissociation.