Laser photolysis of C2H2 and CF3C2H at 193 nm: Production of C2(d3Πg and CH(A2Δ) and their quenching by Xe

The 193 nm laser photodissociation of CH₂H₂ and CF₃C₂H has been studied. With the laser beam focused, C₂(d³Π_g) and CH(A²Δ) radicals were formed by multiphoton processes in both C₂H₂ and CF₃C₂H; however, the one-photon process forming C₂H is still predominant in CF₃C₂H photolysis. The production of C₂(d³Π_g) and CH(A²Δ) emissions is prompt,and the emission intensities show similar (less than quadratic) dependence on laser power whether the radicals are produced from C₂H₂ or CF₃C₂H. In addition, the vibrational distribution of the Swan system is nearly the same in CF₃C₂H as in C₂H₂. The results indicate that the overall photolytic processes are similar in two molecules. Both the C₂(d³Π_g) and CH(A²Δ) emissions are quenched by Xe with rate constants of 4.8×10^?11 and 1.8×10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively.