Electron Scattering Resonances in Fast D(Highn)-N2Collisions

The results of the first measurements of the velocity dependence of the total ionization ${\sigma }_I$ and the total destruction ${\sigma }_d$ (ionization+excitation+deexcitation) cross sections for fast Rydberg-atom-neutral-molecule collisions are presented. The observed resonant structure in and the absolute magnitudes of ${\sigma }_I$ and ${\sigma }_d$ unambiguously confirm the prediction that the Rydberg electron bound to a fast atom scatters quasifreely. The data also strongly hint that the ionic core does the same.