Theory of the polarization dependence of reactive collisions and its application to the associative ionization process 2Na(3)→(X)+
- 1 May 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review A
- Vol. 35 (9) , 3688-3714
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.35.3688
Abstract
We consider collisions between (quasi-) one- or two-electron atoms, each of which has been prepared in a fixed distribution of hyperfine magnetic substates. The resulting ‘‘polarization-dependent’’ reaction rates are functions of (1) the (experimentally adjustable) orientation of the quantization axis associated with the hyperfine substates, (2) the hyperfine terms of the colliding atoms, and (3) the detailed reaction dynamics as characterized by preparation- and fine-structure-independent cross sections. These effects are deconvoluted and analyzed, and their use in elucidating reaction mechanisms is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the associative ionization of two Na(3p) atoms, each prepared by adsorption of resonant laser photons. The quasimolecular states of Na...Na that might react in this case are limited by selection rules. More information on the reaction mechanism is then obtained by using experimental data, in combination with the formal analysis, to draw further conclusions about the active quasimolecular states.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Erratum: Effect of electronic alignment upon the reaction of )→+ [Phys. Rev. A 31, 1362 (1985)]Physical Review A, 1986
- Polarization dependence of associative ionization revisitedPhysical Review A, 1986
- Effect of electronic alignment upon the reaction )→ ++Physical Review A, 1985
- Analysis of the polarization-dependent rate of associative ionization of radiatively excited Na(3p) atomsPhysical Review A, 1985
- Theory of laser-induced chemi-ionization. I. Quantal formulationPhysical Review A, 1983
- Polarization Dependence of Associative Ionization of Laser-ExcitedAtomsPhysical Review Letters, 1982
- Complex potential and electron spectrum in atomic collisions involving fast electronic transitions: Penning and associative ionizationPhysical Review A, 1978
- Model quantum-mechanical calculations for the Penning ionization of Ar by He(23S)Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1976
- Molecular Autoionization Lifetimes and Cross Sections for Penning Ionization: Numerical Results for He* (1s2s 3S) + H(1s 2S)The Journal of Chemical Physics, 1972
- Configuration interaction in the continuum states of moleculesJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1968