Kinematic Effects on Laser-induced Fluorescence Measurements Performed in Reactive Crossed Beam Experiments

Abstract

A simple, realistic model is developed to take into account kinematic effects on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements in crossed beam reactive scattering experiments. The conversion factor from nascent populations to measured densities (which are proportional to the LIF intensity) is calculated for several cases of practical interest. The density-flux transformation proposed by Zare and coworkers arises from the model as a limiting case. Results concerning the C+NO→CN+O reaction, studied in a pulsed crossed supersonic beam experiment, are also included. Calculations carried out under various conditions emphasize the dramatic importance of beam collimation and pulse duration on detection efficiency.