LIF detection of molybdenum atoms in the collisionless 5 μm infrared multiphoton decomposition of Mo(CO)6

The observation of Mo atom production by collisionless infrared multiphoton decomposition (IR MPD) of Mo(CO)6 with second harmonic radiation (≈ 5 μm) of a TEA CO2 laser is reported. Mo atoms in the ground state a7S3 have been detected by the UV laser induced fluorescence technique. The production of naked metal atoms has been explained by a sequence of IR MPD processes of parent Mo(CO)6 molecules and vibrationally excited photofragments Mo(CO)x (x < 6).