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Reactive scattering of Rydberg atoms: H* + D₂ → HD + D*

Wrede, E.; Schnieder, L.; Seekamp-Schnieder, K.; Niederjohann, B.; Welge, K.H.

Authors

L. Schnieder

K. Seekamp-Schnieder

B. Niederjohann

K.H. Welge



Abstract

The scattering of highly excited hydrogen Rydberg atoms, H*(n = 36), with deuterium molecules in their rovibrational ground state, D-2(nu = 0, j = 0), has been investigated at a relative collision energy of 0.53 eV. Time-of-flight distributions of elastically/inelastically scattered H* Rydberg atoms and reactively scattered D* Rydberg atoms have been measured at different laboratory angles. The extracted rovibrationally resolved state distributions of the HD product molecules from reactive collisions resemble closely those reported for the corresponding ion-molecule reaction, H+ + D-2 --> HD + D+. This similarity is rationalised using the free electron model which predicts that the Rydberg electron acts as a spectator while the ionic reaction takes place.

Citation

Wrede, E., Schnieder, L., Seekamp-Schnieder, K., Niederjohann, B., & Welge, K. (2005). Reactive scattering of Rydberg atoms: H* + D₂ → HD + D*. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 7(7), 1577-1582. https://doi.org/10.1039/b417440b

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Mar 1, 2005
Deposit Date May 10, 2007
Journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Print ISSN 1463-9076
Electronic ISSN 1463-9084
Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7
Issue 7
Pages 1577-1582
DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/b417440b