Ion-molecule reactions over very wide temperature range employing a multipole Rf ion trap

PHYS 379

Mark A. Smith, msmith@u.arizona.edu1, George Y. Tikhonov1, and Dieter Gerlich, gerlich@physik.tu-chemnitz.de2. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 E University Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721, (2) Institute of Physics, University of Technology, Chemnitz, Gasentladungs- und Ionenphysik, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany
Low temperature (10-1000 K) ion-molecule reaction rate coefficients of importance to our understanding of both fundamental reaction mechanisms and naturally complex chemical environments are studied. A next generation low temperature multipole trap mass spectrometer employing neutral molecular beams has been constructed allowing for; multiple reaction probes of trapped ions, high mass analysis capability, and the unique capability to couple trapped ions with low velocity, dense molecular beams of condensable species and free radicals. Reactions of cold cationic species relevant to the interstellar medium are investigated at their natural temperatures. These studies equally provide insight into the effects of nonequilibrium degrees of freedom in driving endothermic processes and dynamical processes requiring extremely long lived collision complexes and those proceeding through a limited set of low lying reactant states.
 

PHYS Poster Session - General Experiment
7:30 PM-10:00 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Physical Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008