Rotational distribution of nascent OH radicals after H2O2 photolysis at 193 nm

The rotational distribution of OH(X²,v=0) radicals was investigated by resonant laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) after photolysis of H₂O₂ at 193 nm. A microcomputer equipped LIF arrangement allowed special shot-by-shot normalization of the fluorescence signal for noise reduction. Using a least-squares procedure we were able to account for all measured line intensities including overlapping lines (blends) and obtain a complete rotational state distribution of the OH(X²,v=0) state. The rotational excitation shows a Gaussian-like distribution with a maximum atK=12 and with 16% of the total available energy (17,400 cm^–1) appearing in rotation. Only 1% of the available energy is converted into vibration, leaving over 83% for translational excitation. The measured rotational distribution appears to fit a semiclassical theory.