Stimulation of a heterogeneous reaction of decomposition of ammonia on the surface of platinum by CO2 laser radiation

Stimulation of heterogeneous catalytic reactions involving decomposition of vibrationally excited ammonia molecules on the surface of platinum was observed after absorption of a CO₂ laser photon. This stimulated dissociation of ¹⁴HN₃ on Pt was attributed to radiative excitation of the vibrational levels of the ammonia molecule.