| For decades, molecular beam scattering experiments have been used to understand the forces and dynamics that are involved in chemical reactions at the quantum mechanical level. Using millimeter/submillimeter-waves the dynamics for the scattering of a bimolecular collision can be probed via pure rotational spectroscopy. Focus of this research is the reaction between ozone and chlorine, which has been widely studied due its key role in the catalytic destruction cycle of ozone in the atmosphere.;For this research, a new crossed molecular beam apparatus was successfully designed and constructed. The apparatus consists of independently rotating arms to allow for reactants to be collided at a wide range of angles, and therefore relative velocities, and can easily be adapted for use in numerous types of scattering experiments. Ozone was successfully created and trapped to produce a molecular beam, which has been characterized from a pinhole and slit nozzle. Though no products have been seen from the experiments to date, the critical work has been completed so the system can be optimized in the future. |
