This research, in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program, is aimed at understanding gas phase reaction dynamics at the quantum state level. Nascent vibrational product distributions, measured by infrared chemiluminescence or laser-induced fluorescence will be obtained for reactions proceeding on ground potential surfaces. Improved experimental techniques will be developed to enhance the ability to observe rotational distributions of reaction products before relaxation occurs. Product states will be identified from visible and ultraviolet fluorescence for reactions proceeding on electronically excited surfaces. Laser excitation techniques will be used to prepare the initial reactant states. The reactions to be studied involve rare gas atoms and van der Waals complexes of rare gas atoms with halogenated molecules.
