REACTIVITIES OF SPIN-ORBIT STATES IN AL(P-2(1 (X(3)SIGMA(-)(G))-]ALO(X(2)SIGMA(+))+O(P-3(0,1,2)) - A FLUORESCENCE IMAGING STUDY/

A crossed beam chemical reaction, Al(P-2(1/2,3/2)) + O-2 (X (3) Sigma( g)(-)) --> AlO(X (2) Sigma(+)) + O(P-3(0,1,2)) was investigated by flu orescence imaging techniques. Multiplex detection of speeds and quantu m states of both reactants and products has been implemented. The two spin-orbit states of Al atoms display distinctive reactivities towards O-2 molecules. An electrostatic interaction model was employed to elu cidate their dynamic behavior. A barrierless, attractive potential ene rgy surface in the entrance valley of the allowed channel can be infer red from experimental results and model calculations.