Velocity distribution of CO desorbing from NiO(1 0 0)/Ni(1 0 0) after picosecond UV laser irradiation

The UV laser-induced desorption of CO from an epitaxial film of NiO(1 0 0) on Ni(1 0 0) yields a linear dependence of the desorption signal on the laser intensity with a cross-section of (8.3 ± 0.9) × 10−18 cm2. Rotational and vibrational temperatures of 870 K and 1340 K, respectively, are observed. State-resolved velocity distributions are observed, where one part can be described by a Maxwellian flux distribution with 〈Ekin〉/2k ranging from 1000 to 1800 K. In addition a faster component is present which gains in importance for increasing J″. A distinct rotation–translational coupling is found.