Dynamics of the Eley-Rideal reaction of D atoms with H atoms adsorbed on Cu(111): vibrational and rotational state distributions of the HD product

We have determined the internal-state distribution for the HD product of the reaction of gas-phase D atoms with H atoms chemisorbed on Cu(111). The populations of the vibrational states v=0, 1, 2, and 3 are comparable, while that for v=4 is considerably smaller, giving a mean vibrational energy of ∼0.7 eV. The mean rotational energy falls with increasing v, from ∼0.5 eV for v=0 to <0.2 eV for v=4, with an overall mean rotational energy of ∼0.4 eV. The maximum internal energy observed is ∼2.3 eV, consistent with the total energy available to the product. Results are compared with recent calculations. © 1995 The American Physical Society.