Selective interaction of laser radiation with molecular crystals

An investigation was made of the mechanism of the interaction of visible and ultraviolet laser radiation with molecular crystals which are nitroderivatives of toluene. Dynamic mass spectrometry was employed to investigate the composition, energy, and expansion dynamics of the interaction products. An anomalously high selective relative yield of NO was discovered on interaction with resonant ultraviolet radiation and excitation of the π, π* electronic transition, and also when a sample was irradiated with a combination of visible and ultraviolet radiations.