Wavelength dependence of the BaO * product chemiluminescence on the N 2O reactant orientation in the Ba + N 2O → BaO * + N 2 reaction

Abstract

Coarse wavelength analysis of chemiluminescence from the crossed-beam reaction of Ba with oriented N 2O reveals a distinct dependence of the BaO ★ final product internal energy distribution on the initial collision geometry. Favorable (Ba approaches the “O” end of N 2O) and unfavorable (Ba approaches the “N” end of N 2O) orientations are compared at two collision energies. Reactions taking place in the unfavorable orientation produce BaO ★ with relatively higher internal energy than reactions via the favorable orientation. The steric effect depends strongly on the wavelength and it is more pronounced at a higher collision energy.