1. Atom-molecule inelastic collision dynamics in open shell
systems: O + NO and Cl + NO
Thomas A. Stephenson
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College
We have explored the electronic energy transfer dynamics of Br2 + He, Ar, Xe and CF4. Our goal is to develop propensity rules that will predict the distribution of vibrational energy in electronic states that are populated by collisions. We find that vibrational distributions are dependent on the mass of the collision partner, consistent with both quantum scattering calculations. With this data, we evaluate the validity of simple physical models based on the Franck-Condon principle and energy gap considerations.
(J.M. Hutchison, R.R. O’Hern, T.A. Stephenson, Y.V. Suleimanov, A.A. Buchachenko, J. Chem. Phys. 128, (2008))
Our experiments on O + NO are currently underway, with preliminary data expected late in 2008.