Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
1-1-2010
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Arthur G. Suits
Abstract
Photodissociation dynamics of molecules relevant to understanding Titan's atmosphere (diacetylene, cyanoacetylene and heptane isomers) are carried out under collisionless condition using the DC slice imaging technique. In diacetylene photodissociation, two-photon processes dominate at 243 nm and 212 nm whereas at 121.6 nm, a one-photon dissociation process dominates. Direct measurement of the lifetime of metastable triplet diacetylene confirms sub-microsecond lifetimes. Photodissociation of cyanoacetylene at 193.3 nm proceeds on the S1 potential energy surface with an exit barrier. In heptane photodissociation, the dissociation occurs on the ground state or low-lying triplet states with nonradiative electronic relaxation. Time-of-flight mass spectroscopy studies in this system yield the relative ionization efficiencies of 1- and 2-butyl and propyl radicals at 157 nm.
Recommended Citation
Silva, Welvidanalage Ruchira, "Photodissociation Dynamics In Titan's Atmosphere" (2010). Wayne State University Dissertations. 63.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/63