Ir absorption spectrum of CrO₂Cl₂ molecules for high-lying states of the vibrational quasi-continuum

A new approach to the spectroscopy of highly excited vibrational states of polyatomic molecules has been elaborated. The molecules of CrO₂Cl₂ were prepared in states with a vibrational energy of the ground electronic term A₁ of ≈ 19000 cm^-1 by means of internal conversion of electronic energy from the electronic state B₁ excited by laser radiation. The spectroscopy of the vibrationally excited molecules has been carried out in the region of the ν₆ and ν₁ bands with diode and CO₂ lasers. The fwhm of the obtained spectrum was ≈ 15 cm^-1. The intermode interaction in CrO₂Cl₂ has been theoretically analyzed, and the calculated spectrum compared with that measured experimentally. The time evolution of the spectrum of vibrationally excited CrO₂Cl₂ molecules has been studied. The average energy transferred per one collision with unexcited CrO₂Cl₂ molecules was equal to 〈δE〉 ≈ 1200 cm^-1.