State-to-state dynamics of the hydrogen exchange reaction

Nascent product quantum state distributions have been measured for reactive, H + D₂ → HD + D, and inelastic, H + D₂ → D₂? + H, collisions of H with D₂, at collision energies of 0.98 eV, 1.1 eV, and 1.3 eV. These distributions are extracted from coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra of HD and D₂ (recorded under single-collision conditions) following laser photodissociation of HI to generate translationally hot H atoms in a D₂/HI gas mixture. Variation of the photolysis wavelength allows selection of the H atom translational energy. These rotational and vibrational state distributions are compared with those obtained from quasiclassical trajectory calculations on an ab initio potential energy surface. The agreement between the calculated and measured distributions is extremely good. TheHD and D₂ product quantum state distributions are well represented by simple linear surprisal functions, with large positive vibrational and rotational surprisal.