Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.109, No.16, 6647-6654, 1998
Helicity of orientation parameters of photofragments in fluorescence-imaging experiments
A detection scheme in fluorescence-imaging experiments is presented for determining helicity of orientation parameters of photofragments prepared by circularly polarized photolysis lasers. In a framework of density matrix theory, explicit fluorescence intensity formulas are derived for detection of right- and left-circularly polarized fluorescence photons in various transition sequences. A pattern recognition from fluorescence images of photofragments in a state of definite helicity with respect to their recoil directions has been established, where differences between left- and right-circularly polarized fluorescence image patterns should be taken. Information on the coherence among various magnetic sublevels of an angular momentum state can be obtained by monitoring fluorescence images in a Delta J = -1 transition (P branch in absorption).
Keywords:DIRECT INELASTIC-SCATTERING, LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE;MULTIPHOTON IONIZATION, UNRESOLVED EMISSION, CHEMICAL-REACTION;REACTION-PRODUCTS, ALIGNMENT, PHOTODISSOCIATION, VELOCITY;AG(111)