Dissociation dynamics in low energy electron attachment to nitrogen dioxide

TL;DR

This study investigates the dissociation dynamics of nitrogen dioxide when low energy electrons attach, revealing multiple resonances and detailed momentum distributions through experimental and theoretical analysis.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the resonance structures and dissociation pathways of nitrogen dioxide at low electron energies using combined experimental and theoretical methods.

Findings

Identification of multiple resonances at 1.4 eV, 3.1 eV, and 8.5 eV

Discovery of an additional small resonance at higher energy tail

Detailed momentum distribution data of O$^-$ ions

Abstract

Complete dissociation dynamics of low energy electron attachment to nitrogen dioxide around 8.5 eV resonance has been studied using a velocity map imaging (VMI) spectrometer. Besides the three prominent resonant peaks at around 1.4 eV, 3.1 eV, and 8.5 eV, we have found an additional small resonance at the higher energy tail of the 8.5 eV resonance. We have collected the momentum distribution data of O$^-$ ions at different incident electron energies around the 8.5 eV resonance along with the smaller additional resonant peak. A theoretical analysis of these resonances with the momentum imaging experimental data on dissociative electron attachment to nitrogen dioxide in the gas phase is used to provide a detailed picture of the molecular dissociation process.