Decomposition of CF2HCl molecules by femtosecond laser radiation

Studied in this Letter is the decomposition of the CF2HCl molecules under the effect of femtosecond laser pulses at wavelengths of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.3-1.8 μm. The CF3H molecule is the only decomposition product found, no matter what the radiation intensity in the range 40-200 TW/cm2 and the wavelength used. This result differs substantially from the results of the pyrolysis and dissociation of CF2HCl under the effect of nanosecond IR or UV laser pulses. The field ionization of the CF2HCl molecule is believed to be its main decomposition mechanism.