Chemi-ionization reactions of alkali dimers with halogen molecules

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Abstract
A crossed beam apparatus is used to characterize ionic products of thermal energy collisions of alkali dimers M2 with homonuclear halogens X2 and with IBr and ICl. All possible alkali–halogen combinations were studied, except Rb2 with ICl and IBr. When energetically possible the ionic products are mainly M+ and X−. When this path is closed two alternative paths are observed. These yield M2X+ and X−, or M+ and MX2 −. The results are discussed in the framework of a mechanism proposed by Lin, Whitehead, and Grice. The binding energy of the triatomic ions is computed with the use of an ionic model.