Two-photon MPI spectroscopy of alkyl iodides

The two-photon resonant multiphoton ionization (MPI) spectra of methyl iodide, methyl iodide-d₃, ethyl, propyl, and butyl iodide are reported in the 49 000-55 000 cm^?1 region. Four separate transitions to excited states labeled Δ, Π, Σ, Π in increasing energy are expected in this range which result from the excitation of an iodine 5pπ electron to the 6s molecular Rydberg orbital. Two-photon spectroscopy with its different selection rules and unique dependence on the laser polarization is shown to significantly advance the understanding of these transitions. In particular, laser polarization studies identify a state which is strongly two-photon allowed but absent in the UV absorption spectrum as the Σ state. Rotational contours indicate a large geometry change takes place in this transition. The two Π states appear strongly in both the one-and two-photon spectrum. Polarization analysis confirms their electronic symmetry assignment in addition to distinguishing vibronic bands arising from nontotally symmetric vibrations. No evidence is found for the Δ state in the multiphoton ionization spectrum, due to either a small two-photon cross section or a low probability of ionization following the initial two-photon transition. Further complications and characteristics of single laser MPI spectroscopy in the study of two-photon absorption in methyl iodide and other fundamental molecules are discussed.