Crossed molecular beams: apparatus and data analysis

A crossed molecular beams apparatus designed to perform experiments involving elastic, inelastic, and reactive scattering of particles under single collision conditions is described. Included is a description of a high temperature oven capable of heating samples to 20000K under vacuum conditions. Analysis of data obtained in these experiments is discussed in detail; special emphasis is placed on evaluating data involving particle velocities measured with a time-of-flight technique. Appropriate detector response functions concerning this technique are derived and their effect on velocity resolution discussed