Silicon Atoms as Intermediates in the Nonlinear Photochemistry of Si(CH₃)_4–nCl_n(n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) Compounds

Abstract

The resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of Si (CH₃)_4–nCl_n compounds (with n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) was measured in the 400–360 nm range. The resonances observed were attributed to a silicon atom formed in the ¹D₂ excited state. This indicates that the first step in the photochemical process is the dissociation of the molecule which is followed by the ionization of the silicon atom.