Spur Decay Kinetics of the Solvated Electron in Heavy Water Radiolysis

Spur decay kinetics of the hydrated electron following picosecond pulse radiolysis of heavy water have been measured using a time-correlated absorption spectroscopy (TCAS) technique. The TCAS data collected for the first 40 ns of the decay was matched up with single-shot transient digitizer data out to microsecond time scales. The decay shape in heavy water looks exactly like the decay in light water except in the first 10 ns. The “time zero” solvated electron yield in heavy water radiolysis must be approximately 7% larger than in light water, to match the best available scavenger product measurements. We propose an explanation in terms of the larger distances traveled by electrons in heavy water prior to localization. The implication is that presolvated H 2 O + “holes” are very efficient scavengers for the presolvated conduction band electrons.