Impact of Nuclear Motion on Light-Induced Bimolecular Interaction Dynamics

In chemical reactions, the nuclear motion of the molecules plays a crucial role in determining the reaction rates and outcomes. Employing the cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy and femtosecond pump-probe techniques, we perform a molecular-level study into the influence of nuclear vibrations on light-induced bimolecular reactions within H₂-D₂ dimers. The study focuses on the formation dynamics of D2H+ and H2D+ cations, shedding light on the interplay between translational and vibrational motions of the nuclei steering the bimolecular reactions. Our observations reveal a notable yield ratio of 1:1.6 between H2D+ and D2H+ channels, accompanied with a faster formation of D2H+ compared to H2D+. Molecular dynamics simulations unveil that the faster vibrational motion of H2+ than that of D2+ upon single ionization within the dimer accounts for these differences. Our findings provide new insight into the time-resolved kinetic isotope effect on the bimolecular reactions, highlighting the critical relationship between nuclear vibrational motions and reaction dynamics.