"Free Electron Driven Chemistry in Polyatomic Molecules"
Professor Dan Slaughter
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Abstract: Observation of the dynamics of dissociative electron attachment (DEA) in polyatomic has recently become possible by momentum imaging of the fragments resulting from the dissociating transient anion resonance. We have developed a momentum spectrometer featuring a 4-pi solid angle of detection that is combined with a pulsed electron beam and effusive molecular beam in a crossed geometry to measure the 3-dimensional momentum distribution of dissociating negative ions. Guided by electronic structure calculations that determine the most likely orientation of the molecule at the time of attachment, I present key aspects of the dynamics of DEA in methanol and carbon dioxide. I will also present some results from our recent study of the dynamics of DEA in biomolecules, including destructive dissociation of the nucleobase uracil by 6 eV electrons.
Refreshments: 3:15 P.M.