Kinetics of polyatomic radical reactions using a versatile flow reactor apparatus

Abstract A versatile, new flow reactor apparatus for gas phase kinetic studies of polyatomic free radicals is described. Radicals are produced from suitable precursors by direct or sensitized infrared laser multiphoton dissociation. Detection methods include laser-induced fluorescence, vacuum UV resonance fluorescence, and modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry. Initial results on the NH 2 + NO and CH 3 O + NO 2 reactions are presented.