Abstract

Since the IR multiple-photon decomposition probability of polyatomic molecules is a function of radiative fluence, the measured fraction of the dissociated molecules could be affected by the spatial distribution of radiation. In this paper the influence of the radiative distribution of a Gaussian beam on measured probability is investigated in detail. The main conclusions are that, for two special cases, namely, cylindrical beam and double-cone beam, one will be able to get information of the fluence dependence of real decomposition probability from measured energy dependence of average probability by means of a log–log plot. This article will be helpful for consideration of experimental conditions, summarizing of data, and comparison of the results of different experiments to avoid possible confusion.

© 1983 Optical Society of America

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