Nascent Vibrational State Distributions of ZnH(X ²∑+ ) and ZnD(X ²∑+) Produced in the Reactions of Zn(4¹P₁) With H₂ and D₂

Abstract

The reactions of Zn(4¹P₁) with H₂ and D₂ were studied by employing a laser pump-and-probe technique. The nascent vibrational state distributions of ZnH(X ²∑+) and ZnD(X ²∑+) were determined. The distributions were much cooler than the statistically expected ones. These results are consistent with the insertive attack model proposed for other excited metal-H₂ systems. The quantum yield for the production of ZnH(X ²∑+) was measured to be low; around 0.5 of that for cn4. Three-body dissociation processes to produce Zn(4¹S₀) + H + H must be more dominant than the production of ZnH.