Rovibrational state distribution of deuterium molecules resulting from D-atom interaction with Ni(110)

Using the REMPI technique we have studied the internal state distribution of deuterium molecules produced by the interaction of atomic deuterium with chemisorbed deuterium on Ni(110) at 180 K. We observed molecules in vibrational states up to v=3 with a mean vibrational energy of 220 meV. The mean rotational energies of the molecules in the vibrational states v=0 to 3 are 185 meV, 133 meV. 75 meV and 37 meV, respectively. The overall mean rotational energy amounts to 150 meV, again far in excess of the mean rotational energy of molecules accommodated to the surface. The data are consistent with direct interactions of the impinging particles with the adsorbed particles (Eley-Rideal reaction and collision induced desorption), for which it is assumed that a considerable amount of the potential and kinetic energy of the impinging atoms is channeled into translational and internal energy of the reaction products.