Integral steric asymmetry in the inelastic scattering of NO(X2Π)

M. Brouard, S.D.S. Gordon, A. Hackett Boyle, C. G. Heid, B. Nichols, V. Walpole, F.J. Aoiz, S. Stolte

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The integral steric asymmetry for the inelastic scattering of NO(X) by a variety of collision partners was recorded using a crossed molecular beam apparatus. The initial state of the NO(X, v = 0, j = 1/2, Ω=1/2, I=-1,f) molecule was selected using a hexapole electric field, before the NO bond axis was oriented in a static electric field, allowing probing of the scattering of the collision partner at either the N- or O-end of the molecule. Scattered NO molecules were state selectively probed using (1 + 1′) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionisation, coupled with velocity-map ion imaging. Experimental integral steric asymmetries are presented for NO(X) + Ar, for both spin-orbit manifolds, and Kr, for the spin-orbit conserving manifold. The integral steric asymmetry for spin-orbit conserving and changing transitions of the NO(X) + O2 system is also presented. Close-coupled quantum mechanical scattering calculations employing well-tested ab initio potential energy surfaces were able to reproduce the steric asymmetry observed for the NO-rare gas systems. Quantum mechanical scattering and quasi-classical trajectory calculations were further used to help interpret the integral steric asymmetry for NO + O2. Whilst the main features of the integral steric asymmetry of NO with the rare gases are also observed for the O2 collision partner, some subtle differences provide insight into the form of the underlying potentials for the more complex system.

Original languageEnglish
Article number014302
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume146
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jan 2017

Funding

The support of the UK EPSRC (to M.B. via Programme Grant No. EP/L005913/1), the EU (to M.B. via FP7 EU People ITN Project No. 238671), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grant Nos. CTQ2012-37404, CSD2009-00038, and CTQ2015-65033-P to F.J.A.) is gratefully acknowledged. S.S. acknowledges support from the National Basic Research Program of China (973 program) under Grant No. 2013CB922200 and from the National Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11034003 and 91221301. S.D.S.G. and M.B. also thank Cambio Ltd. and Dr. Peter Dean for generous support.

FundersFunder number
Spanish Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCTQ2015-65033-P, CSD2009-00038, CTQ2012-37404
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilEP/L005913/1
European Commission
National Natural Science Foundation of China91221301, 11034003
Seventh Framework Programme238671
National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program)2013CB922200

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