Mainz 2026 – scientific programme
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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik
MO 25: Molecular Collisions and Kinetics
MO 25.3: Talk
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 15:00–15:15, P 105
Investigating electron and proton transfer reactions with velocity map imaging — •Viviane C. Schmidt, Dasarath Swaraj, Jerin Judy, Fabio Zappa, and Roland Wester — Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck, Austria
Crossed-beam apparatuses employing velocity map imaging (VMI) techniques are versatile tools to study ion-neutral collisions. Here, it is possible to either directly measure or infer the kinematics of all reactants and products, enabling a detailed look into underlying reaction mechanisms. These include the transfer of charge, either in the form of an electron or a proton, from one species to the other.
Two prototypical systems will be discussed here. The first reaction is the electron transfer between Ar+ and N2 studied at the newly-commissioned crossed-beam apparatus at Innsbruck University [1]. Here, it was possible to measure the reaction pathway into the N2+ vibrational ground state at low collision energies. It showed clear signatures of complex-mediated dynamics.
The second reaction is the proton transfer between HeH+ and H2. Here, a special focus is placed on the influence of rotational excitation of the charged reactant. For this project, a technical upgrade of a second crossed-beam set-up at Innsbruck University is ongoing. The current status as well as next steps will be presented.
[1] D. Swaraj et al., in preparation
Keywords: Velocity Map Imaging; Ion-Neutral collisions; Crossed beams