Scattering of Vibrationally Excited NO off LiF and CaF2 Surfaces

The scattering of a pulsed supersonic beam of vibrationally excited v′=1, J′=32 nitric oxide molecules, prepared by tunable ir laser excitation, off LiF and CaF2 surfaces has been investigated by resonantly enhanced two-photon ionization. A survivial probability of less than 2.3×10-4 has been found. Similarly, an upper limit of less than 2×10-3 can be given for an energy transfer into other rotational states of v′=1 or high J′′ of v′′=0. The present results will be compared with the predictions of a recent theoretical model calculation. © 1982 The American Physical Society.