Abstract
Plasma-activated chemical transformations promise the efficient synthesis of salient chemical products. However, the reaction pathways that lead to desirable products are often unknown, and key quantum-state-resolved information regarding the involved molecular species is lacking. Here we use quantum cascade laser dual-comb spectroscopy (QCL-DCS) to probe plasma-activated NH(3) generation with rotational and vibrational state resolution, quantifying state-specific number densities via broadband spectral analysis. The measurements reveal unique translational, rotational and vibrational temperatures for NH(3) products, indicative of a highly reactive, non-thermal environment. Ultimately, we postulate on the energy transfer mechanisms that explain trends in temperatures and number densities observed for NH(3) generated in low-pressure nitrogen-hydrogen (N(2)-H(2)) plasmas.