Vibrational predissociation spectra and dynamics of small molecular clusters of H/sub 2/O and HF

Conference · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5455969

Vernon, M F; Lisy, J M; Krajnovich, D J; Tramer, A; Kwok, H S; Shen, Y R; Lee, Y T

Experimental results are presented on the vibrational predissociation spectra in the frequency range 3000 to 4000 cm/sup -1/ for the species (HF)/sub n/ and (H/sub 2/O)/sub n/, n = 2-6, using molecular beam techniques and a tunable infrared laser. The observed spectra show a dramatic change between the dimer and larger clusters which is thought to be a result of the cyclic structure of the trimer and larger clusters. The spectra are compared to calculated harmonic force constants of available intermolecular potentials to understand how these small, gas phase clusters relate to the liquid and solid phases of HF and H/sub 2/O. Additionally, the angular distributions of the predissociation products show that little energy appears as translational motion of the fragment molecules. This conclusion is consistent with recent theoretical models of the predissociation process. An upper limit of approx. 2 ..mu..sec is observed for the lifetime of the vibrationally excited clusters.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5455969
• Report Number(s): LBL-13740; CONF-820413-1; ON: DE82007607
• Conference Information: Conference on Van der Waals molecules, Oxford, UK, 5 Apr 1982
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
400500 -- Photochemistry
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
BEAMS
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFRARED RADIATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
LASER RADIATION
MOLECULAR BEAMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
SPECTROSCOPY
VIBRATIONAL STATES
WATER