A crossed-beam study of the F plus HD → DF plus H reaction:: The direct scattering channel

State-to-state differential cross sections of the title reaction are presented at four collision energies, ranging from 1.18 to 4.0 kcal/mol. Product angular distributions are predominantly backscattered at low energies and shift toward sideways (peaking near 150 degrees) at higher energies. Experimental evidence for contributions from migratory trajectories was found in the more detailed angle-specific internal state distributions. The dynamics of this reaction is mostly governed by classical mechanics, and several major findings can qualitatively be rationalized. These "classical" behaviors serve as "references" and are to be contrasted to the attributes observed for the other isotopic product channel, HF+D, in a forthcoming paper. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.