IR laser photolysis of CDF₃: role of buffer gas on selectivity and yield for deuterium enrichment in fluoroform

Abstract

The isotope selectivity and specific decomposition rates for the IR multiphoton dissociation of CDF₃-CHF₃ mixtures were examined as functions of various experimental parameters such as substrate pressure, composition, laser energy, irradiation geometry and buffer gas pressure. The isotopic scrambling observed with a 100 ns CO₂ laser pulse at moderate pressures of the mixture was shown to be reduced by the addition of appropriate amounts of the buffer gas argon.