Stereochemical influences in atom–triatomic collisions

Abstract

High-resolution dispersed fluorescence spectra form NH₂ in the electronically excited òA₁ state have been obtained. Single quantum-state excitation using a tunable ring dye laser was employed and rotational energy transfer (RET) in the excited vibronic manifold was studied. Analysis shows that angular momentum based propensity rules are much more successful at predicting RET relaxation rates than are those based on the energy transfer. The results are interpreted with reference to the molecule-fixed axis system, and this allows us to work backwards to the incoming particle trajectory. Thus we obtain information about the stereochemistry of the NH₂(²A₁)+ H interaction.