Atmospheric chemistry: molecular beam studies of elementary chemical reactions involving electronically excited 1D oxigen atoms.

The elementary reactions of atomic oxygen in the first electronically excited 1D state with simple molecules, of relevance to atmosphere and, specifically, ozone chemistry are studied by the crossed molecular beam scattering method with mass spectrometric detection. From measurements of product angular and velocity distributions detailed information on the dynamics of the reactions of O(1D) with HCl, HBr, and H2S is obtained. The relation between dynamics and potential energy surfaces for reaction is examined. The hydrogen displacement channel leading to XO formation (X=Cl, Br, HS) is established to play an important role in the reactions of O(1D) with hydrides.