In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Delroy Baugh of the Chemistry Department of the University of California at Los Angeles will conduct experiments on the state-to-state chemical reaction dynamics of ammonia and phosphine. An electrostatic-hexapole field will be used to prepare molecular beams of these species in single, rotation-vibrational states that are completely specified within the limits allowed by quantum mechanics. The state selected molecules are excited to an unstable potential energy surface causing decay into fragments which are subsequently analyzed to yield detailed differential cross sections for the reaction. This resesrach is directed toward the determination of the potential energy surface which controls an elementary chemical reaction. Molecules are initially prepared in well defined quantum states which allow detailed tracking of the reaction process. The experiments to be performed are the first in which molecules other than hydrogen will be subject of investigation of complete state-to-state reaction dynamics. The results of this work will play a significant role in validating existing theories of chemical reactions on the molecular level.
