CO2laser initiated decomposition of ethyl chloride

摘要

The decomposition of ethyl chloride (EtCl) has been studied at pressures in the range 0.2ndash;100 torr in a CO2laser beam (105ndash;160 W cw) in order to evaluate the processes occurring in such a system. Selective excitation of the EtCl would lead to the observed CH4production, but it is shown that ``proof'' of such a process is not readily attainable despite the wellhyphen;characterized thermal decomposition of EtCl in contrast with systems previously supposed to decompose selectively. The important effects of slight laser power irreproducibilities, induction periods and the high ``temperatures'' produced are discussed.