Imaging studies of the photodissociation of H2S+ cations. II.

Ion imaging methods have been used to explore the photodissociation dynamics of state-selected H(2)S(+) and D(2)S(+) cations. Predissociation following one photon excitation to the A (2)A(1) state at wavelengths (385< or =lambda(phot)< or =420 nm) in the vicinity of the first dissociation threshold results in formation of ground state S(+) fragment ions; the partner H(2)(D(2)) fragments are deduced to be rotationally "cold." Two photon dissociation processes are also observed, resonance enhanced at the energy of one absorbed photon by the predissociating A state levels. Two photon excitation at these wavelengths is deduced to populate an excited state of (2)A(1) symmetry, which dissociates to electronically excited S(+)((2)D) products, together with vibrationally excited H(2)(D(2)) cofragments. Ground state SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments, attributable to a one photon dissociation process, are observed once lambda(phot)< or =325 nm. Two photon induced production of SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments is also observed, at all wavelengths studied (i.e., at all lambda(phot)< or =420 nm). These SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments are deduced to be formed in their singlet (i.e., a (1)Delta and b (1)Sigma(+)) excited states, with high levels of rotational excitation. The observed product branching and energy disposals are discussed within the context of the (limited) available knowledge relating to the excited electronic states of the H(2)S(+) cation.