The formation of vibrationally excited HD from atomic recombination on cold graphite surfaces

HD molecules formed in v ''=3 and v '' = 4 have been detected by laser spectroscopy when a cold (15 K) graphite surface is irradiated with H and D atoms. Population of the v '' = 3, J '' = 0-6 and v '' = 4, J '' = 0-6 levels has been detected and the average rotational temperatures of the nascent HD were determined. These results are compared with previous data collected for the formation of HD in v '' = 1 and 2 under similar conditions. This comparison indicates that the nascent HD flux increases with increasing vibrational quantum number for v '' = 1-4. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.