Imaging Experiments
The experiments we have performed to date involve point-by-point reconstruction of the center of mass flux distributions with one-dimensional scans in laboratory coordinates. The possibility of detecting all velocity space elements in a single time window promises to increase the capabilities of the crossed beam technique significantly. Our lab has developed an instrument (schematic shown at right) that gives us the capability to image velocity space distributions. The diagram shows that the locus of points of reaction products with a constant center of mass speed is a sphere whose radius increases with time. Imaging the set of nested spheres describing the reaction products by projecting them on a plane allows all product velocity elements to be observed in a single time window. The application of imaging methods based on multiplex (Fellgett) advantage will enhance product detection sensitivity by more than an order of magnitude.
We have studied key reactions in the ion processing chemistry occurring in the atmosphere of Titan, and our most recent work has been with the reactions of ions with free radicals. We have completed a study of the hydrogen atom transfer and charge transfer reactions of H3+ with CH3 and carbon-carbon bond formation reactions of Csup>+ with the allyl radical, C3H5.
This project is supported by National Science Foundation Grants CHE-1012303 and CHE-1265406.
