Influencing parameters in time resolved picosecond spectroscopy and a new light gate method

We show that the open period of a CS₂ light gate, triggered by a picosecond optical pulse, depends on the optical pathlength through the CS₂. An alternative to the light gate is suggested for time resolved spectroscopy. The working principle is based on scattering induced in CS₂. We have found that the broadband emission from H₂O or D₂O excited by a 5300 Å picosecond pulse is also of picosecond duration, but the blue part is delayed with respect to the red. From this delay time the lifetime of the ground state vibrational levels may be measured directly.