Quantum dynamics of quasiresonant vibration-rotation energy transfer inLi2-Ne scattering

This Rapid Communication reports fully quantum-mechanical calculations of inelastic-scattering cross sections for ${\mathrm{Li}}_2^{\mathrm{*}}$(${\mathrm{v}}_{\mathrm{i}}$,$j_i$) +Ne→${\mathrm{Li}}_2^{\mathrm{*}}$($v_f$,$j_f$)+Ne with 40≤$j_i$≤100. The calculations are performed within the coupled-states approximation. They reveal large cross sections for vibrational relaxation to remarkably narrow final-rotational-state distributions. The theoretical cross sections reproduce the Δj=-4Δv correlation observed experimentally. Comparison of the quantum-mechanical results to classical trajectory calculations confirms the accuracy of the latter procedure.