Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: We investigate reactions between laser-cooled Be + ions and room-temperature water molecules using an integrated ion trap and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This system allows simultaneous measurement of individual reaction rates that are resolved by reaction product. The rate coefficient of the Be + ( 2 S 1/2 ) + H 2 O → BeOH + + H reaction is measured for the first time and is found to be approximately two times smaller than predicted by an ion–dipole capture model. Zero-point-corrected quasi-classical trajectory calculations on a highly accurate potential energy surface for the ground electronic state reveal that the reaction is capture-dominated, but a submerged barrier in the product channel lowers the reactivity. Furthermore, laser excitation of the ions from the 2 S 1/2 ground state to the 2 P 3/2 state opens new reaction channels, and we report the rate and branching ratio of the Be + ( 2 P 3/2 ) + H 2 O → BeOH + + H and H 2 O + + Be reactions. The excited-state reactions are nonadiabatic in nature.
Authors: Tiangang Yang, Anyang Li, Gary K. Chen, Changjian Xie, Arthur G. Suits, Wesley C. Campbell, Hua Guo, Eric R. Hudson
Language: English
Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G3568936595, G4480937474, G7109157504
OpenAlex ID: W2808095267