Abstract
OH(X 2Πi, v=0,1) vibrational and rotational internal energy distributions, produced by the reaction of O(1D2) with H2, have been measured by laser induced fluorescence. Highly excited, non‐Boltzmann rotational distributions are reported. The most populated state observed is at N=25 for v=0 and N=17 for v=1. A nearly statistical vibrational ratio of v=1 to v=0, equal to 1.0±0.3, is observed. A dynamical interpretation of these results is given by comparison with recent trajectory calculations. This interpretation suggests that ’’microscopic branching’’ may occur between a simple hydrogen ’’abstraction’’ channel and ’’insertion’’ into the H–H bond to form a short lived vibrationally excited adduct, with the ’’insertion’’ channel dominating the formation of OH(v=0,1).

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