Abstract
We report experimental and theoretical results for associative detachment (AD) of D- + D -> D-2 + e(-). We compare these data to our previously published results for H- + H -> H-2 + e-.
The measurements show no significant isotope effect in the total cross section. This is to be contrasted with previously published experimental and theoretical work which has found a significant isotope effect in diatomic systems for partial AD cross sections, i.e., as a function of the rotational and vibrational levels of the final molecule formed.
Our work implies that though the rovibrational distribution of flux is different for AD of H- + H and D- + D, the total flux for these two systems is essentially the same when summed over all possible final channels.