Spin-Orbit State-Resolved Differential Cross Sections of S(¹D) + HD Reaction^†

Here, we report the spin-orbit state-resolved differential cross sections (DCSs) for the prototype barrierless reaction S(¹D)+HD. Both product channels, namely H+SD(²Π_3/2,1/2) and D+SH(²Π_3/2,1/2), were measured by high-resolution crossed molecular beam experiments. The DCSs of the two product channels show an overall forward−backward symmetry, in accordance with statistical model predictions. However, the DCSs for different spin-orbit manifolds show different preferences in forward or backward scattering directions at the same collision energies. This study reveals that, even though the title reaction proceeds via the long-lived complex mechanism, the spin-orbit coupling effects in the product channels play an important role in the reaction process.