Effect of J dependence of Raman cross sections on CARS product quantum state distributions for the H+D2 → HD+D reaction

HD product quantum state distributions are recalculated for published CARS measurements using J-dependent Raman cross sections determined from accurate, ab initio calculations. The use of J-dependent cross sections lowers calculated number densities by 5%–10% at high J and therefore systematically shifts the relative product-state distribution somewhat from high J to low J. This shift does not noticeably affect discrepancies between CARS results and multiphoton ionization experiments on the same reaction. The results indicate that J-dependent Raman cross sections should be used in reducing vibrational Q-branch CARS and other Raman data for molecular hydrogen and its isotopes.