New cross section functions for hot 18F atom collisions with H2, HD and D2

New analytic reaction cross-section functions are reported for hot ¹⁸F atoms reacting with H₂, HD and D₂. A realistic model is proposed for the total non-reactive cross section in these systems throughout the center-of-mass collision energy range 0–100 eV.     

Fragmentation cross sections of protonated water clusters

We have measured fragmentation cross sections of protonated water cluster cations (H(2)O)(n=30-50)H(+) by collision with water molecules. The clusters have well-defined sizes and internal energies. The collision energy has been varied from 0.5 to 300 eV. We also performed the same measurements on deuterated water clusters (D(2)O)(n=5-45)D(+) colliding with deuterated water molecules. The main fragmentation channel is shown to be a sequential thermal evaporation of single molecules following an initial transfer of relative kinetic energy into internal energy of the cluster. Unexpectedly, that initial transfer is very low on average, of the order of 1% of collision energy. We evaluate that for direct collisions (i.e., within the hard sphere radius), the probability for observing no fragmentation at all is more than 35%, independently of cluster size and collision energy, over our range of study. Such an effect is well known at higher energies, where it is attributed to electronic effects, but has been reported only in a theoretical study of the collision of helium atoms with sodium clusters in that energy range, where only vibrational excitation occurs.     

Dynamics of the reaction H2+(He,H)HeH+. Influence of various forms of reactant energy on the total and differential cross section

Results of quasiclassical trajectory calculations of reactive processes between He atoms and H₂⁺ (υ, J) molecular ions in the collision energy interval 0.5–5.0 eV (c.m.) for a large number of selected υ, J combinations are analyzed with respect to the influence of the initial translational, vibrational, and rotational energy on the total and differential reaction cross sections. Vibrational energy is more effective in promoting the reaction than translational energy. Small rotational excitation has a negligible effect, whereas high rotational excitation has a similar influence on the reaction cross sections as the vibrational excitation of the same magnitude.     

Quantum Dynamics Study on D+OD+ Reaction: Competition between Exchange and Abstraction Channels

Quantum dynamics for the D+OD⁺ reaction at the collision energy range of 0.0-1.0 eV was studied on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface. Both of the endothermic abstrac-tion (D+OD⁺→O⁺+D₂) and thermoneutral exchange (D+OD⁺→D+OD⁺) channels were investigated from the same set of time-dependent quantum wave packets method under cen-trifugal sudden approximation. The reaction probability dependence with collision energy, the integral cross sections, and the thermal rate constant of the both channels are calculated. It is found that there is a convex structure in the reaction path of the exchange reaction. The calculated time evolution of the wave packet distribution at J=0 clearly indicates that the convex structure significantly influences the dynamics of the exchange and abstraction channels of title reaction.     

Neutral scattering and vibrational excitation in K+Br2 Collisions

Differential cross sections are presented for neutral scattering of K atoms in collisions with Br₂ molecules in the energy range from 20 to 150 eV. In addition energy-loss spectra for the scattered K atoms are shown. The differential cross sections show a large peak near the forward direction. The energy-loss spectra point to considerable vibrational excitation at small angles. The results are attributed to reneutralization from an ion-pair state formed during the collision. In some cases this process can involve three potential surface crossings. The experimental results can be reproduced in simple trajectory calculations on diabatic potential surfaces. The calculations show that the forward scattering is rainbow scattering, caused by the internal motion of the Br₂^? molecular ion during the collision. There is no analog to this rainbow in atom-atom scattering. The internal moti is also responsible for the observed vibrational excitation.     

Quantum Mechanics Rate Constant for the N+ND Reaction

We present nonadiabatic quantum dynamical calculations on the two coupled potential en-ergy surfaces (1²A′ and 2²A′) [J. Theor. Comput. Chem. 8, 849 (2009)] for the reaction. Initial state-resolved reaction probabilities and cross sections for the N+ND→N₂+D reaction and N′+ND→N′D+N reaction for collision energies of 5 meV to 1.0 eV are determined, re-spectively. It is found that the N+ND→N₂+D reaction is dominated in the N+ND reaction.In addition, we obtained the rate constants for the N+ND→N₂+D reaction which demand further experimental investigations.     

Ion pair formation in alkali-SF6 collisions: Dependence on collisional and vibrational energy

The dependence of ion pair formation in collisions of fast alkali atoms (K, Na and Li) with SF₆ on the initial relative kinetic energy and the internal energy of the target molecule has been studied by the crossed molecular beam method. Using a mass spectrometer we have measured total cross sections for negative ion formation as a function of translational and internal energy. Collision energies ranged from threshold up to 35 eV and SF₆ source temperatures were varied from 300 K to 850 K.By means of an inverse Laplace transform of the measured cross sections, we have determined total specific cross sections for each negative ion depending on the SF₆ vibrational energy and at fixed relative kinetic energy.The relative importance of both collisional and internal energy in promoting the electron transfer process is discussed for the various reaction channels in terms of a collision model. An essential feature of this model is the stretching of the S-F molecular ion bond during the collision. The product show complete relaxation in the threshold region, i.e., vibrational and collisional energy are equivalent: This holds for the SF⁻₆ formation only near threshold and for the SF⁻₅ and F⁻ formation up to about 2 eV above threshold. In the post-threshold region the effect of the internal energy on the cross section dominates over that of the translational energy.From these measurements the adiabatic electron affinity of SF₆ is inferred to be 0.32 ± 0.15 eV, T = 0 K. Some other thermodynamic data are deduced: EA(SF₅) > 2.9 ± 0.1 eV (T = 300 K) and D₀(SF⁻₅-F) = 1.0 ± 0.1 eV.     

Quantum study of Eley-Rideal reaction and collision induced desorption of hydrogen atoms on a graphite surface. II. H-physisorbed case

Following previous investigation of collision induced (CI) processes involving hydrogen atoms chemisorbed on graphite [R. Martinazzo and G. F. Tantardini, J. Chem. Phys. 124, 124702 (2006)], the case in which the target hydrogen atom is initially physisorbed on the surface is considered here. Several adsorbate-substrate initial states of the target H atom in the physisorption well are considered, and CI processes are studied for projectile energies up to 1 eV. Results show that (i) Eley-Rideal cross sections at low collision energies may be larger than those found in the H-chemisorbed case but they rapidly decrease as the collision energy increases; (ii) product hydrogen molecules are vibrationally very excited; (iii) collision induced desorption cross sections rapidly increase, reaching saturation values greater than 10 A2; (iv) trapping of the incident atoms is found to be as efficient as the Eley-Rideal reaction at low energies and remains sizable (3-4 A2) at high energies. The latter adsorbate-induced trapping results mainly in formation of metastable hot hydrogen atoms, i.e., atoms with an excess energy channeled in the motion parallel to the surface. These atoms might contribute in explaining hydrogen formation on graphite.     

Total cross sections of electron collisions with S atoms; H2S,OCS and SO2 molecules (Ei ≥ 50 eV)

Collisions of intermediate to high energy electrons are considered with S-atoms as well as H₂S, OCS and SO₂ molecules as targets. We employ e^- atom total cross sections calculated in the complex optical potential, to calculate e^--molecule total cross sections in a simple and a modified Additivity Rule. Our total (elastic + inelastic) cross sections above 50 eV, fare reasonably well as compared to various experimental and theoretical data. The calculated inelastic cross sections serve as the upper limit of total ionization cross sections. Results are presented graphically from about 10 to 5000 eV.     

Repulsive potentials for the interaction of oxygen atoms with the noble gases and atmospheric molecules

Repulsive potentials between about 0.2 eV and 20 eV are determined for interactions of oxygen atoms with the noble gas atoms and with H₂, N₂, O₂, NO, CO, CO₂ and H₂O molecules from incomplete total scattering cross sections. Good agreement with theory is obtained for the noble gases. The potentials for the interaction with molecules obtained by assuming spherically symmetric potentials are compared with the same potentials computed by averaging the cross sections for different orientations of the molecules. By introducing reduced variables, the problem of finding two isotropic potential parameters is simplified to a search for one, the other being determined by a least-squares constraint.     

Collisions at thermal energy between metastable hydrogen atoms and hydrogen molecules: total and differential cross sections

A metastable hydrogen (deuterium) atom source in which groundstate atoms produced by a RF discharge dissociator are bombarded by electrons, provides a relatively large amount of slow metastable atoms (velocity 3–5 km/s). Total integral cross sections for H*(D*)(2s) + H₂(X ¹Σ _g ⁺ ,v=0) collisions have been measured in a wide range of relative velocity (2,5–30 km/s), by using the attenuation method. A significant improvement of accuracy is obtained, with respect to previous measurements, at low relative velocities. Total cross sections for H* and D*, as functions of the relative velocity, are different, especially in the low velocity range. H* + H₂ total differential cross sections have also been measured, with an angular spread of 3.6°, for two different collision energy distributions, centered respectively at 100 meV and 390 meV. A first attempt of theoretical analysis of the cross sections, by means of an optical potential, is presented.     

Dissociation of hydrogen molecules in collisions with light alkali ions. II. Li+-H2

The dissociation of a ground state H₂ molecule in single collisions with a Li⁺ ion has been studied using a time of flight technique over a large range of center of mass scattering angles (30° ? υ ? 180°) and collision energies (16 eV < E_cm < 55.5 ev).The results have been transformed into the center of mass system to obtain inelastic differential cross sections (contour maps). In contrast to most other scattering experiments on collision induced dissociation, the results at high energies (E_cm > 40 eV) cannot be explained by a two-step mechanism. Instead dissociation appears to occur in a time comparable to the collision time. The results are consistent with several collision models. Of these the spectator model in which only one of the atoms of the molecule is struck by the incident ion is favored since it is in good agreement with the differential cross sections for backward scattering.     

Application of the “helium excitation standard” procedure to some hydrocarbon Hβ absolute emission cross section measurements

Absolute emission cross sections for H_β radiation are presented. The H_β emission is obtained by dissociative electron excitation of propane, propylene, n-butane and 1-butene under binary collision conditions. Optical excitation functions measured for these transitions are normalized by the “helium excitation standard” procedure, using the 4 ¹S-2 ¹P transition in He as a standard at an electron impact energy of 100 eV. The results obtained are determined with an accuracy of ± 15%. The investigated energy interval is 50–500 eV. The experimental results show that the emission cross sections for H_β radiation are not independent of the number of atoms in the parent molecule.     

The investigation of nonadiabatic effects for the N + ND → N2 + D reaction

Nonadiabatic quantum dynamical calculations have been carried out on the two coupled potential energy surfaces (1²A′ and 2²A′) (Mota et al., J Theor Comput Chem 2009, 8, 849) for the title reaction. Initial state‐resolved reaction probabilities and cross sections for ground and excited states for collision energies of 0.005–1.0 eV are determined, respectively. Nonadiabatic transition is enhanced about four times by isotopic substitution of N + NH by N + ND reaction. It turns out that the nonadiabatic effects exert no significant contribution in the N + ND → N₂ + D reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

A global potential energy surface and time‐dependent quantum wave packet calculation of Au + H2 reaction

A global potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the ground state of AuH₂ system has been constructed based on 22 853 ab initio energies calculated by the multireference configuration interaction method with a Davidson correction. The neural network method is used to fit the PES, and the root mean square error is only 1.87 meV. The topographical features of the novel global PES are compared with previous PES which is constructed by Zanchet et al. (Zanchet PES). The global minimum energy reaction paths on the two PESs both have a well and a barrier. Relative to the Au + H₂ reactants, the energy of well is 0.316 eV on the new PES, which is 0.421 eV deeper than Zanchet PES. The calculation of Au(²S) + H₂(X¹Σ_g⁺) → AuH(X¹Σ⁺) + H(²S) dynamical reaction is carried out on new PES, by the time‐dependent quantum wave packet method (TDWP) with second order split operator. The reaction probabilities, integral cross‐sections (ICSs) and differential cross‐sections are obtained from the dynamics calculation. The threshold in the reaction is about 1.46 eV, which is 0.07 eV smaller than Zanchet PES due to the different endothermic energies on the two PESs. At low collision energy (<2.3 eV), the total ICS is larger than the result obtained on Zanchet PES, which can be attributed to the difference of the wells and endothermic energies.     

Kinetic energy dependence of the total symmetric electron transfer cross section for the H2+(ν′o) + H2(ν″o = 0) system

We report the first experimental and theoretical observation of a broad peak in the kinetic energy dependence of the total cross sections for the title reaction with ν′_o = 0 and 1, in the laboratory collision energy range of 8–400 eV. A theoretical analysis reveals that the peak in the total cross section is due to the strong coupling among the many vibrational states of the reactants and products in the electron transfer process.     

Quantum wave packet and quasiclassical trajectory studies of the reaction H(2S) + CH(X2Π; v = 0, j = 1) → C(1D) + H2(X1 ): Coriolis coupling effects and stereodynamics

The quantum mechanics (QM) and quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations have been carried out for the title reaction with the ground minimal allowed rotational state of CH (j = 1) on the 1 ¹A′ potential energy surface. For the reaction probability at total angular momentum J = 0, a similar trend of the QM and QCT calculations is observed, and the QM results are larger than the latter almost in the whole considered energy range (0.1–1.5 eV). The QCT integral cross sections are larger than the QM results with centrifugal sudden approximation, while smaller than those from QM method including Coriolis coupling for collision energies bigger than 0.25 eV. The quantum wave‐packet computations show that the Coriolis coupling effects get more and more pronounced with increasing of J. In addition to the scalar properties, the stereodynamical properties, such as the average rotational alignment factor <P₂( j′?k )>, the angular distributions P(θ_r), P(?_r), P(θ_r,?_r), and the polarization‐dependent generalized differential cross sections have been explored in detail by QCT approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Formation of H3+ in Collisions of H2+ with H2 Studied in a Guided Ion Beam Instrument

In order to study collisions between ions and neutrals, a new Guided Ion Beam (GIB) apparatus, called NOVion, has been assembled and tested. The primary purpose of this instrument is to measure absolute cross sections at energies relevant for technical or inter- and circumstellar plasmas. New and improved results are presented for forming H₃⁺ in collisions of H₂⁺ with H₂. Between 0.1 eV and 2 eV, our measured effective cross sections are in good overall agreement with most previous measurements. However, at higher energies, our results do not show the steep decline, recommended in the standard literature. After critical evaluation of all experimental and theoretical data, a new analytical function is proposed, describing properly the dependence of the title reaction on the collision energy up to 10 eV.     

Endothermic reactions of Ni+ with H2, HD and D2

An ion-beam apparatus is employed to study the reaction of Ni⁺ with H₂, HD, and D₂ as a function of kinetic energy. These reactions lead to the endothermic formation of NiH⁺, NiH⁺ and NiD⁺, and NiD⁺, respectively. Interpretation of the threshold for these processes yields the average bond energies, D⁰(Ni⁺H) = 1.86 ± 0.09 eV and D⁰(Ni⁺D) = 1.90 ± 0.14 eV. The total reaction cross sections for all three systems are similar; however, a striking isotope effect is observed for Ni⁺ reacting with HD. The dependence of the cross sections on relative kinetic energy is discussed in terms of simple models for reaction.