Effects of laser-induced collisions on chemical reactions

Abstract

Using the surface hopping model, collinear collisions of a fluorine atom with a hydrogen molecule in the presence of a laser field are studied. It is found that the threshold field intensity can be lowered either by varying the field frequency or by lowering the collision energy. This effect is explainable when distortions of the field-dressed potential energy surfaces are studied. However, the effects of isotope substitution can be better explained in terms of a kinematic model. Results of this study lead to the conclusion that lowering the threshold field intensity can best be accomplished by increasing the resonance time for the collision.