The search for resonance signatures in H+D2 reaction dynamics

Observing the stereodynamics of chemical reactions using randomly oriented molecular beams

A new method is demonstrated to study the stereodynamics of simple chemical reactions that does not require the use of oriented (or aligned) molecular beams or measurements of the orientation state of product molecules. Instead, it is shown that by numerically combining accurate measurements of the state-to-state differential cross section for two or more rotational states of the reagent molecule, the separate contribution from the individual helicity states can be extracted. New molecular beam experiments are conducted for the D+H(2)-->HD+H reaction that confirm the validity of the method.

State-to-State Dynamics of Elementary Bimolecular Reactions

The study of state-to-state dynamics of elementary bimolecular reactions has provided remarkable insights into chemical reactivity at the most fundamental level. This review covers exciting developments in this important field in the past decade. I focus on recent studies of quantum-state-resolved molecular-beam reactive-scattering studies of elementary chemical reactions, from triatomic to polyatomic systems. Researchers have made great advances in the fundamental understanding of many elementary chemical reactions through state-to-state dynamics studies. The strong interaction between theory and experiment has significantly enhanced our understanding of the dynamics of these reactions. I hope this review provides a glimpse of this exciting research field to both experts and beginners.

Reactive scattering dynamics in atom+polyatomic systems: F+C2H6-->HF(v,J)+C2H5

State-to-state scattering dynamics of F+C2H6-->HF(v,J)+C2H5 have been investigated at Ecom=3.2(6) kcalmol under single-collision conditions, via detection of nascent rovibrationally resolved HF(v,J) product states with high-resolution infrared laser absorption methods. State-resolved Doppler absorption profiles are recorded for multiple HF(v,J) transitions originating in the v=0,1,2,3 manifold, analyzed to yield absolute column-integrated densities via known HF transition moments, and converted into nascent probabilities via density-to-flux analysis. The spectral resolution of the probe laser also permits Doppler study of translational energy release into quantum-state-resolved HF fragments, which reveals a remarkable linear correlation between (i) HF(v,J) translational recoil and (ii) the remaining energy available, Eavail=Etot-E(HF(v,J)). The dynamics are interpreted in the context of a simple impulsive model based on conservation of linearangular momentum that yields predictions in good agreement with experiment. Deviations from the model indicate only minor excitation of ethyl vibrations, in contrast with a picture of extensive intramolecular vibrational energy flow but consistent with Franck-Condon excitation of the methylene CH2 bending mode. The results suggest a relatively simple dynamical picture for exothermic atom+polyatomic scattering, i.e., that of early barrier dynamics in atom+diatom systems but modified by impulsive recoil coupling at the transition state between translationalrotational degrees of freedom.

State to state to state dynamics of the D+H2 -->HD+H reaction: control of transition-state pathways via reagent orientation

The influence of reagent rotation on the dynamics of the D+H2 -->HD+H reaction is studied. The state-resolved differential cross section is measured using the Rydberg-atom scheme in a crossed beam experiment. It is found that the H2 rotation has a strong influence on the results. This effect was traced to the selection of the quantum bottleneck states through reagent orientation, thus suggesting a novel strategy to control the transition-state pathways in direct chemical reactions.

Observation of a reactive resonance in the integral cross section of a six-atom reaction: F+CHD3

The title reaction was investigated under crossed-beam conditions at collisional energies ranging from about 0.4 to 7.5 kcal/mol. Product velocity distributions were measured by a time-sliced, velocity-map imaging technique to explicitly account for the density-to-flux transformation factors. Both the state-resolved, pair-correlated excitation functions and vibrational branching ratios are presented for the two isotopic product channels. An intriguing resonance tunneling mechanism occurring near the reaction threshold for the HF+CD3 product channel is surmized, which echoes the reactive resonances found previously for the F+HD-->HF+D reaction and more recently for the F+CH4 reaction.

Interference of quantized transition-state pathways in the H + D2 -> D + HD chemical reaction

The collision-energy dependence of the state-resolved differential cross section at a specific backward-scattering angle for the reaction H + D2 --> D + HD is measured with the D-atom Rydberg "tagging" time-of-flight technique. The reaction was modeled theoretically with converged quantum scattering calculations that provided physical interpretation of the observations. Oscillations in the differential cross sections in the backward-scattering direction are clearly observed and are attributed to the transition-state structures that originate from the interferences of different quantized transition-state pathways.

Quantum scattering calculations on chemical reactions

This review discusses recent quantum scattering calculations on bimolecular chemical reactions in the gas phase. This theory provides detailed and accurate predictions on the dynamics and kinetics of reactions containing three atoms. In addition, the method can now be applied to reactions involving polyatomic molecules. Results obtained with both time-independent and time-dependent quantum dynamical methods are described. The review emphasises the recent development in time-dependent wave packet theories and the applications of reduced dimensionality approaches for treating polyatomic reactions. Calculations on over 40 different reactions are described.

Forward scattering due to slow-down of the intermediate in the H + HD --> D + H(2) reaction

Quantum dynamical processes near the energy barrier that separates reactants from products influence the detailed mechanism by which elementary chemical reactions occur. In fact, these processes can change the product scattering behaviour from that expected from simple collision considerations, as seen in the two classical reactions F + H(2) --> HF + H and H + H(2) --> H(2) + H and their isotopic variants. In the case of the F + HD reaction, the role of a quantized trapped Feshbach resonance state had been directly determined, confirming previous conclusions that Feshbach resonances cause state-specific forward scattering of product molecules. Forward scattering has also been observed in the H + D(2) --> HD + D reaction and attributed to a time-delayed mechanism. But despite extensive experimental and theoretical investigations, the details of the mechanism remain unclear. Here we present crossed-beam scattering experiments and quantum calculations on the H + HD --> H(2) + D reaction. We find that the motion of the system along the reaction coordinate slows down as it approaches the top of the reaction barrier, thereby allowing vibrations perpendicular to the reaction coordinate and forward scattering. The reaction thus proceeds, as previously suggested, through a well-defined 'quantized bottleneck state' different from the trapped Feshbach resonance states observed before.

Scattering resonances in the simplest chemical reaction

Recent studies of state-resolved angular distributions show the participation of reactive scattering resonances in the simplest chemical reaction. This review is intended for those who wish to learn about the state-of-the-art in the study of the H + H2 reaction family that has made this breakthrough possible. This review is also intended for those who wish to gain insight into the nature of reactive scattering resonances. Following a tour across several fields of physics and chemistry where the concept of resonance has been crucial for the understanding of new phenomena, we offer an operational definition and taxonomy of reactive scattering resonances. We introduce simple intuitive models to illustrate each resonance type. We focus next on the last decade of H + H2 reaction dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the various experimental approaches that have been applied to the search for resonance behavior in the H + H2 reaction family. We conclude by sketching the road ahead in the study of H + H2 reactive scattering resonances.