ROLE OF FINE-STRUCTURE STATES IN A CHEMICAL-REACTION - NA-ASTERISK-]NABR+K-ASTERISK(KBR)

Product fine structure distributions are measured for the reaction KBr + Na(3 P-2(3/2) or 3 P-2(1/2)) --> NaBr + K*(4 P-2(3/2) or 4 P-2(1/2 )). Sodium atoms are excited to either the P-2(3/2) or P-2(1/2) state and reacted with KBr, producing excited potassium atoms in both fine s tructure states. The resulting potassium emission is observed through two narrow band interference filters, allowing separate measurement of each potassium fine structure state population. The product distribut ions are found to be nonstatistical; these results are interpreted in terms of a simple model incorporating spin-orbit interaction and nonad iabatic interaction in more than one region along the reaction path on the potential energy surfaces. This information complements and provi des further explanation of results from previous studies of the transi tion state region species, [KBrNa].