The onset of molecular condensation: hydrogen.
The very first steps of condensation as studied experimentally in the simplest molecular system (para-H(2)) are reported. The fast time-space evolution of the nascent clusters have been measured using state-of-the-art Raman spectroscopy implemented on cryogenic supersonic jets. The time-dependent onset of condensation is presented in a non-equilibrium pressure-temperature phase diagram. Dimer and trimer formation are found to obey three-body processes whose rates have been determined.
Morilla
J H
JH
Laboratory of Molecular Fluid Dynamics @ Instituto de Estructura de la Materia, CSIC Serrano 121, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
Fernández
J M
JM
Tejeda
G
G
Montero
S
S