Dissociation of UF6 molecules involving excitation of combination modes by NH3–N2 laser radiation

The results are presented of a study of the dissociation of UF₆ molecules as a result of simultaneous interaction of resonant (NH₃–N₂ laser) and quasiresonant (CO₂ laser) infrared fields with υ₃ + υ₅ (821.827 cm^–1) and υ₁ + υ₄ (852.8 cm^–1) combination vibrations. The method used to record the dissociation process (observation of the HF* luminescence) made it possible to determine its rate in a single illumination pulse. It was found that two-frequency infrared-infrared excitation of the combination vibrations of the UF₆ molecule resulted in efficient multiphoton dissociation. A study was made of the influence on the dissociation rate of the intensity and frequency of the infrared field. Mass-spectrometric measurements failed to detect isotopic selectivity of the dissociation process.