Asymmetry of the Polarized-Laser-Induced Photofragmentation of Oriented CH3I Molecules

The degree of orientation of C${\mathrm{H}}_3$I in rotation-state—selected, oriented-molecule beams has been measured via the asymmetry of the angular distribution of the $\mathrm{I}\left({}_{}{}^2{}_{}{}^{}P_{\frac{1}{2}}^{}{}_{}{}^{}\right)$ photodissociation product from the linearly-polarized-laser—induced photofragmentation of C${\mathrm{H}}_3$I in (parent) rotational states $|JKM〉=|111\mathrm{}〉, |212\mathrm{}〉, |211\mathrm{}〉, \mathrm{and} |222\mathrm{}〉$. For the latter state the up/down asymmetry is nearly $\frac{4}{1}$ (less for the other states). Partial disorientation of the C${\mathrm{H}}_3$I due to hyperfine coupling in a weak electric field has also been demonstrated.