Observation of a dynamical propensity rule in rotationally inelastic gas-surface scattering: NH/sub 3/ on Au(111)

Journal Article · Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.36.6695· OSTI ID:6122929

Kay, B D; Raymond, T D; Coltrin, M E

We have measured rotational state distributions for NH/sub 3/ scattered from Au(111) using multiphoton-ionization laser spectroscopy. The NH/sub 3/ exhibits a strong propensity to scatter into the lowest-K states; these are states in which the molecule is tumbling normal to the molecular symmetry axis as opposed to spinning about it. Additionally, the scattered rotational distribution exhibits a sharp feature near zero rotational energy indicative of a rotational rainbow.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6122929
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 36:12; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

656003* -- Condensed Matter Physics-- Interactions between Beams & Condensed Matter-- (1987-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
AMMONIA
COLLISIONS
CRYSTALS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
GOLD
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INELASTIC SCATTERING
IONIZATION
LASER SPECTROSCOPY
METALS
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
MONOCRYSTALS
MULTI-PHOTON PROCESSES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ROTATIONAL STATES
SCATTERING
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERY LOW TEMPERATURE