Reactive scattering of alkali dimers: Product K atoms from K₂+Br₂, IBr, BrCN, SnCl₄

Abstract

Approximate angular distribution measurements of reactively scattered K atoms from a potassium dimer K₂ beam by cross beam molecules Br₂, IBr, BrCN, SnCl₄ are reported. Forward peaking in the centre of mass differential cross section for K₂+Br₂, IBr, BrCN unambiguously confirms that the reaction path at large impact parameters yields K + KX + Y products. Differential cross sections at wide angles for K compared with KX products, suggest that the reaction path yielding KX + KY products becomes important at small impact parameters. Comparison of the reactive K atom scattering with the KX scattering lends further support to a schematic mechanism of the reaction dynamics suggested previously. The K₂ + SnCl₄ reaction does not yield reactively scattered K atoms.