Spectroscopic Characterization of Reactive Intermediates Relevant to Supersonic Combustion

Abstract : Our program specializes in the spectroscopic characterization of molecular ions and reactive intermediates in ion-molecule reactions, and is closely integrated with ongoing activities at the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate to determine the temperature dependence of ion-molecule and ion-ion reaction kinetics which are important in high-velocity (e.g., scramjet) combustion and re-entry plasma. Our role in this collaboration was to provide experimental benchmarks for bond energies, structures, and stationary points in the potential energy profiles for reactions that are relevant models for ion-assisted combustion of hydrocarbons.