Dunning, F. B.2009-06-042009-06-042001Parthasarathy, Ramapriya. "Use of Rydberg atoms as a microscale laboratory to probe low-energy electron-molecule interactions." (2001) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18011">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18011</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18011Dissociative and non-dissociative electron attachment processes are investigated via electron transfer in collisions between velocity selected Rydberg atoms and molecules. Low-energy dissociative electron attachment to BrCN and CBrCl 3, over the temperature range 300 to 450K, is examined, by measuring the velocity and angular distributions of negative ions produced. Measurements for BrCN indicate that electron capture leads to the formation of transient BrCN-* ions that dissociate with a mean lifetime tau ∼20 ps to form CN- product ions. No significant Br - production was observed over the present temperature range. Electron transfer to CBrCl3 leads to the formation of both Cl - and Br- ions. The branching ratio of the reaction pathways dramatically changes with temperature. Investigation of non-dissociative electron attachment to C6H6 indicates that benzene anions are formed with lifetimes of ∼3 ps. Influence of a strong applied electric field on background processes like blackbody photoionization and collisional photo ionization, which complicate studies of Rydberg atom collision processes, is analyzed and the results presented.117 p.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Molecular physicsAtomic physicsUse of Rydberg atoms as a microscale laboratory to probe low-energy electron-molecule interactionsThesisTHESIS PHYS. 2001 PARTHASARATHY