This paper investigates the origin of a quantum interference observed when NO(2) is dissociatively ionized by short pulses of ultraviolet light. We describe time-resolved measurements of NO(+), O(+), and NO(2)(+) ions produced following the interaction of NO(2) with a approximately 70 fs duration pulse centered close to 400 nm and a subsequent time-delayed probe pulse close to 269, 205, or 400 nm. A quantum beat oscillation with a period of 524 fs and a characteristic damping time of 8 ps is observed on all transient ion signals. We investigate the effect of tuning the central wavelength of the excitation pulse over a 12 nm range, and we discuss the potential importance of three possible multiphoton pathways involving one, two, and three pump photons. We conclude that the ionization pathway responsible for the beat signal is most likely due to a process involving the absorption of two pump photons and two probe photons. This presents an interesting problem with respect to the interpretation of the mechanism responsible for the quantum interference signature since the electronic states of NO(2) reached at the two-photon level are all thought to be extremely short-lived and to dissociate on a time scale that is far shorter than the characteristic damping time of the oscillatory signals. We suggest that a possible explanation for the observed dynamics is associated with a minor dissociation channel of the (2)(2)B(2) state of NO(2) through its interaction with the longer lived (2)(2)A(1) state.
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