Photodissociation of CO2 to produce CO /a super 3 pi/.
Carbon dioxide in a helium buffer at room temperature was irradiated with a photon beam. The wavelengths used in the investigation were in the range from 850 to 1090 A. Phosphorescence from CO Cameron bands was observed. The phosphorescent yield is zero at threshold and increases smoothly to a maximum of about 60% near 900 A. The smoothness of the percentage yield was an unexpected observation and is explained by postulating that the relevant potential surface crossings are outside the Franck-Condon region of carbon dioxide absorption.