Translation-to-vibrational excitation in the dissociative adsorption of D2

In this work we have studied the dissociation dynamics of deuterium on two potential energy surfaces. In each case, there is significant translational-to-vibrational coupling that results in molecules that emerge vibrationally excited. In each case, the translational energy dependence of the onset of inelastic scattering is similar. The surfaces also result in dissociative adsorption but the thresholds in this case are well separated. The particular topological differences between the two surfaces that result in these findings are discussed.