Sub-Picosecond Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Energetic Materials : the Nitromethane and Nitro-Stilbenes

Using sub-picosecond CARS experiment we observed direct photolysis of liquid nitromethane after pulse excitation at 299 nm. We measured the dynamic behaviour under excitation of three main ground state Raman lines at 917 cm -1 , 1400 cm -1 and 2968 cm -1 . We deduced an excited state lifetime of 1.1 ± 0.3 ps and we measured a photolysis quantum yield at 299 nm of 24% ± 5%. Using pump-probe experiments we observed the evolution of excited states of eight nitro-stilbene derivatives including 2,4,6,2',4',6'-hexanitro-stilbene (HNS). In the studied compounds important non-radiative desexcitation channels have been observed and their possible role on explosive process is discussed.