Molecular Collision Dynamics: State-Resolved Studies by "Half-Collision" Techniques

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In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professors P. Kleiber, K. Sando, and W. Stwalley of the University of Iowa will continue their investigations of the chemical dynamics of the reaction of hydrogen molecules with excited metal atoms, especially energy transfer collisons by means of state-selective half-collision techniques. Also continued are studies of the near threshold photodissociation dynamics of alkali diatomic molecules. %%% The proposed experiments on reactions between excited metal atoms and molecules will serve to test theoretical models for such processes. Significant deviations from the theoretically predicted behavior will require a revision of a model or at least place limits on its range of validity. Theoretical models also exist for the photodissociation of alkali diatomic molecules. In these models a dissociation is often viewed as a "half-collision" analog of a full collision process, the latter consisting of two incoming and two emerging particles. Such theories are, however, often not amenable to simple physical interpretation and can not easily be applied to complex dissociation processes. In some cases of current interest, such as collisions between ultra-cold atoms, the underlying physics is not understood well enough to allow application of any of the theoretical methods with confidence. The experiments done in this research will provide information that will assist in the clarification of many questions in the domain of collision and photodissociation dynamics.