Observation of partial wave structures in the integral cross section of the S(D-1(2)) + H-2(j=0) reaction

The integral cross section of the S(D-1(2)) + H-2(j = 0) -> SH + H reaction has been measured for the first time at collision energies from 0.820 down to 0.078 kJ mol(-1) in a high-resolution crossed beam experiment. The excitation function obtained exhibits a non-monotonic variation with collision energy and compares well with the results of high-level quantum calculations. In particular, the structures observed in the lower energy part, where only a few partial waves contribute, can be described in terms of the sequential opening of individual channels, consistent with the theoretical calculations.