Production of cold formaldehyde molecules for study and control of chemical reaction.

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Proposed for publication in Physical Review Letters.

OSTI ID:970727

Taatjes, Craig A; Bochinski, J R; Bohn, John L; Ye, Jun; Lewandowski, H J; Sawyer, Brian C; Ticknor, Christopher; Hudson, Eric R

We propose a method for controlling a class of low temperature chemical reactions. Specifically, we show the hydrogen abstraction channel in the reaction of formaldehyde (H{sub 2}CO) and the hydroxyl radical (OH) can be controlled through either the molecular state or an external electric field. We also outline experiments for investigating and demonstrating control over this important reaction. To this end, we report the first Stark deceleration of H{sub 2}CO. We have decelerated a molecular beam of H{sub 2}CO essentially to rest, producing molecules at 100 mK with a density of {approx} 10{sup 6} cm{sup -3}.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 970727
• Report Number(s): SAND2005-5069J; TRN: US201003%%82
• Journal Information: Proposed for publication in Physical Review Letters., Journal Name: Proposed for publication in Physical Review Letters.
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
ACCELERATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
FORMALDEHYDE
HYDROGEN
HYDROXYL RADICALS
MOLECULAR BEAMS
PRODUCTION