Reactive scattering of a supersonic alkali atom beam: K + Br2, BrCN, SnCl4, PCl3, CCl4, CH3I

Abstract

Angular distribution measurements of reactive scattering of a supersonic potassium atom beam by a series of molecules are reported with initial kinetic energy (∼ 5 kcal mole^-1) above the thermal energy range. The narrow Laval nozzle velocity distribution gives improved resolution over thermal energy measurements. Total reaction cross sections are found to decrease with energy. Differential reaction cross sections for Br₂, BrCN and CCl₄ show increased forward scattering compared with thermal energies but for CH₃I there is no change to within experimental error. The BrCN scattering is compatible with spectator-stripping dynamics, though this limit has not been reached in the Br₂ scattering. The SnCl₄ differential reaction cross section appears not to be compatible with a single peak in the centre of mass recoil velocity distribution. It is suggested that high and low velocity contributions to the intensity may arise from a long-lived collision complex dissociating by two reaction paths.