Product rovibrational branching ratios

The dynamics of a reaction that proceeds directly over the transition state is expected to be qualitatively different from that of a resonance-mediated reaction. In particular, one expects that the branching ratios into the product rovibrational states will be very different between the direct and the resonant mechanisms. For example, if a given Feshbach resonance corresponds to trapping on the v = 1 vibrationally adiabatic curve, then one might expect that the population of the v = l vibrational state of the product molecule may be greatly enhanced by the resonant mechanism. Similarly, the rotational product distribution resulting from the fragmentation of a resonance molecule may show a quite distinct pattern from that of a direct reaction. Indeed, Liu and coworkers [94], and Nesbitt and coworkers [95] have noted distinct rotational patterns in the F+HD resonant reaction. 

---