State-to-state scattering of D2 from Cu(100) and Pd(111) -: art. no. 064712

Results from state resolved experiments are presented for the interaction of D-2(v=1,J=2) with Cu(100) and Pd(111). The reflected molecules were probed using quantum state specific spectroscopy. For D-2 scattered from Cu(100) the vibrational survival probability and some transition inelastic probabilities were measured for incident energies from 70-200 meV. The survival probability was found to be larger then that found previously for H-2(v=1) scattered from the same surface; these differences are discussed in terms of the lower zero point energy and smaller vibrational energy spacings of D-2. D-2 translational energy exchange was studied for several different scattering channels and interpreted using simple classical calculations. The survival probability was also measured for D-2(v=1) scattered from Pd(111) at one incident energy. Pd is reactive for D-2 dissociation and this survival probability was measured to be small and also to be much smaller than that for H-2(v=1) under similar conditions. Vibrational relaxation channels were studied for D-2 scattering from both Cu(100) and Pd(111). The vibrational relaxation probability on both surfaces was also found to be smaller than that measured for comparable channels for H-2. The smaller survival probability and vibrational relaxation probability for D-2 on Pd(111) cannot be easily accounted for by the difference in zero point energy and vibrational energy spacings. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.