CROSSED BEAM STUDIES OF THE REACTION DYNAMICS OF O(1D) ATOMS WITH SPECIES OF ATMOSPHERIC INTEREST - O(1D) + HCL AND HBR

The elementary reactions of electronically excited oxygen atoms O(1D) with some simple molecules of atmospheric interest are studied by the crossed molecular beam scattering method with mass spectrometric detection. A supersonic O( D)atom beam with a wide variable range of translational energies is generated by a high pressure radiofrequency (RF) discharge nozzle beam source using dilute O2 in He or Ne gas mixtures and high RF power. From angular and velocity distribution measurements detailed information on the dynamics of the O(1D) + HX → XO + H (X=Cl, Br) reactions has been obtained. The relation between reaction dynamics and potential energy surface is examined. Comparison with previous spectroscopic investigations of the competing channel leading to OH + X and with bulk results is made. Preliminaryresults obtained for the O(1D) + HS reaction are also reported.