Laser induced fluorescence of CH2 (ã1A1) produced in the photodissociation of ketene at 337 nm. The CH2 (ã1A1-X̃3B1)energy separation

The photodissociation of ketene, CH₂CO(X?¹A₁) → CH₂ (ã¹A₁) + CO(X ¹Σ⁺) has been observed at 337 nm, using a pulsed nitrogen laser. The CH₂ (ã ¹A₁) radical has been detected by laser induced fluorescence with a tunable dye laser. A laser excitation spectrum has been obtained from CH₂(ã ¹A₁) over the wavelength interval from 588.9 to 595.6 nm in the Σ ← Π vibronic subband of the CH₂ (ã ¹A₁); υ″ = 0, 0, 0?b? ¹B₁; υ′ = 0, 14, 0) transition. For the CH₂(ã ¹A₁ ; υ′= 0, 0, 0?X? ³B₁; υ′' = 0, 0, 0) energy separation an upper limit of (6.3 ^± 0.8) kcal/mole has been found. The radiative lifetime τ and the rate constant k for the removal of the 0₀₀ rotational level of the Σ(0, 14, 0) vibronic state have been measured directly. The values are τ = (4.2 ^± 0.2) μs and k = (7.4 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively.