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arXiv · 0802.2797

Probing isotope effects in chemical reactions using single ions

Peter F. Staanum·Klaus Hoejbjerre·Roland Wester·Michael Drewsen
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Abstract

Isotope effects in reactions between Mg+ in the 3p 2P3/2 excited state and molecular hydrogen at thermal energies are studied through single reaction events. From only ~250 reactions with HD, the branching ratio between formation of MgD+ and MgH+ is found to be larger than 5. From additional 65 reactions with H2 and D2 we find that the overall decay probability of the intermediate MgH2+, MgHD+ or MgD2+ complexes is the same. Our study shows that few single ion reactions can provide quantitative information on ion-neutral reactions. Hence, the method is well-suited for reaction studies involving rare species, e.g., rare isotopes or short-lived unstable elements.

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Peter F. Staanum, Klaus Hoejbjerre, Roland Wester, Michael Drewsen. 2008-02-20. Probing isotope effects in chemical reactions using single ions. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.100.243003

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