Abstract
THE orientational dependence of molecular interactions has long been recognized as central to an understanding of reaction mechanisms and of collisions in the gas phase and at surfaces. Studies of orientation effects have recently become possible owing to the development of techniques for aligning molecules. 'Brute-force' methods using electric or magnetic fields can induce alignment of molecules with dipole moments1,2, and polarized-absorption approaches3 can be used in cases where there are suitable molecular transitions; but one of the simplest and most general methods involves the supersonic expansion of molecular beams seeded with molecules that induce rotational alignment—selection of specific rotational states—by collisions4–12. Here we use such an approach to induce strong rotational alignment of oxygen molecules in a beam seeded with various other gases at close to atmospheric pressure. Most significantly, we find that the degree of alignment depends on the velocity of the molecules in the supersonic expansion—fast molecules are much more highly aligned than slower ones, and the velocity of maximum alignment can be altered by changing the gas mixture. In this way, we can prepare rotationally aligned molecules with well defined velocities, opening up new possibilities for experiments in molecular dynamics.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sinha, M. P., Caldwell, C. D. & Zare, R. N. J. chem. Phys. 61, 491–503 (1975).
Rubahn, H. G. & Toennies, J. P. J. chem. Phys. 89, 287–294 (1988).
Hefter, U., Ziegler, G., Mattheus, A., Fischer, A., & Bergmann, K. J. chem. Phys. 85, 286–302 (1986).
Visser, A. G., Bekooy, J. P., van der Meij, L. K., de Vreugd, C. & Korving, J. J. chem. Phys. 20, 391–408 (1977).
Sanders, W. R. & Anderson, J. B. J. phys. Chem. 88, 4479–4484 (1984).
Pullman, D. P. & Herschbach, D. R. J. chem. Phys. 90, 3881–3883 (1989).
Pullman, D. P., Friedrich, B. & Herschbach, D. R. J. chem. Phys. 93, 3224–3236 (1990).
Friedrich, B., Pullman, D. P. & Herschbach, D. R. J. phys. Chem. 95, 8118–8129 (1991).
Saleh, H. J. & McCaffery, A. J. J. chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 89, 3217–3221 (1993).
Weida, M. J. & Nesbitt, D. J. J. chem. Phys. 100, 6372–6385 (1994).
Loesch, H. J. & Remscheid, A. J. chem. Phys. 93, 4779–4790 (1990).
Friedrich, B. & Herschbach, D. R. Nature 353, 412–414 (1991).
Gorter, C. J. Naturwissenschaften 26, 140 (1938).
Beenakker, J. J. M. & McCourt, F. R. A. Rev. phys. Chem. 21, 47–72 (1970).
Aquilanti, V. & Grossi, G. Lett. Nuovo Cimento 42, 157–162 (1985).
Aquilanti, V., Beneventi, L., Grossi, G. & Vecchiocattivi, F. J. chem. Phys. 89, 751–761 (1988).
Aquilanti, V., Cavalli, S., Grossi, G. & Anderson, R. W. J. phys. Chem 95, 8184–8193 (1991).
Aquilanti, V., Candori, R. & Pirani, F. J. chem. Phys. 89, 6157–6164 (1988).
Aquilanti, V., Candori, R., Mariani, L., Pirani, F. & Liuti, G. J. phys. Chem. 93, 130–135 (1989).
Aquilanti, V., Luzzatti, E., Pirani, F. & Volpi, G. G. J. chem. Phys. 89, 6165–6175 (1988).
Aquilanti, V., Candori, R., Cappelletti, D., Luzzatti, E. & Pirani, F. Chem. Phys. 145, 293–305 (1990).
Aquilanti, V., Candori, R., Cappelletti, D., Lorent, V. & Pirani, F. Chem. Phys. Lett. 192, 145–152 (1992).
Aquilanti, V., Cappelletti, D., Lorent, V., Luzzatti, E. & Pirani, F. J. phys. Chem. 97, 2063–2071 (1993).
Aquilanti, V., Cappelletti, D. & Pirani, F. J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 89, 1467–1474 (1993).
Amirav, A., Even, U., Jortner, J. & Kleinman, L. J. chem. Phys. 73, 4217–4233 (1980).
Mettes, J., Heijmen, B. & Reuss, J. Chem. Phys. 87, 1–8 (1984).
Kuebler, N. A., Robin, M. B., Yang, J. J., Gedanken, A. & Herrick, D. R. Phys. Rev. A38, 737–749 (1988).
Matsumoto, T. & Kuwata, K. Chem. Phys. Lett. 171, 314–318 (1990).
Tinkham, M. & Strandberg, M. W. P. Phys. Rev. 97, 951–966 (1955).
Kuan, C. Y., Mayne, H. R. & Wolf, R. J. Chem. Phys. Lett. 133, 415–419 (1987).
Jacobs, D. C., Kolasinski, K. W., Madix, R. J. & Zare, R. N. J. chem. Phys. 87, 5038–5039 (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aquilanti, V., Ascenzi, D., Cappelletti, D. et al. Velocity dependence of collisional alignment of oxygen molecules in gaseous expansions. Nature 371, 399–402 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/371399a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/371399a0
This article is cited by
-
Quantum chemistry and metadynamics study of kinetic routes to alanine formation by CO or CO2 insertions in E- or Z-ethanimine isomers
Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali (2023)
-
Nucleophilic substitution vs elimination reaction of bisulfide ions with substituted methanes: exploration of chiral selectivity by stereodirectional first-principles dynamics and transition state theory
Journal of Molecular Modeling (2019)
-
Sticking Probability and Reactivity of Hyperthermal O2 Molecules Impinging on CO Pre-covered Pd(100): Effect of Rotational States with K > 1
Topics in Catalysis (2015)
-
Hydrogen-induced nanotunnel opening within semiconductor subsurface
Nature Communications (2013)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.