The breaking of the backward-forward symmetry in the angular distribution of mj-selected photofragments

Asaf Pe'er, Moshe Shapiro, Gabriel G. Balint-Kurti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present calculations on the angular distributions of mj-selected photofragments (with mj being the projection of the fragments' internal angular momentum on a space-fixed z-axis). We show that the proper analysis of such experiments [based on G. G. Balint-Kurti and M. Shapiro, Chem. Phys. 61, 137 (1981)], involves coherent λ≠λ′ terms (with λ - the "helicity" - being the projection of the fragment angular momentum on the recoil direction). The involvement of these coherent terms leads, amongst other things, to the creation of "orientation," i.e., the backward-forward asymmetry, in the fragments' angular distributions. Thus we demonstrate that the detection of polarization in one (internal) variable - the internal rotation, creates a correlated orientation in another (external) variable - the recoil angular distribution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11928-11935
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume110
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Jun 1999
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The breaking of the backward-forward symmetry in the angular distribution of mj-selected photofragments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this