Multiple scattering mechanisms causing interference effects in the differential cross sections of H + D₂ → HD(v ′ = 4, j ′) + D at 3.26 eV collision energy

Differential cross sections (DCSs) for the H + D₂ → HD(v′ = 4, j′) + D reaction at 3.26 eV collision energy have been measured using the photoloc technique, and the results have been compared with those from quantum and quasiclassical scattering calculations. The quantum mechanical DCSs are in good overall agreement with the experimental measurements. In common with previous results at 1.97 eV, clear interference patterns which appear as fingerlike structures have been found at 3.26 eV but in this case for vibrational states as high as v′ = 4. The oscillatory structure is prominent for low rotational states and progressively disappears as j′ increases. A detailed analysis, similar to that carried out at 1.97 eV, shows that the origin of these structures could be traced to interferences between well defined classical mechanisms. In addition, at this energy, we do not observe the anomalous positive j′-θ trend found for the v′ = 4 manifold at lower collision energies, thus reinforcing our explanation that the anomalous distribution for HD(v′ = 4, j′) at 1.97 eV only takes place for those states associated with low product recoil energies.