Crossed-beam investigations of state-resolved collision dynamics of simple radicals

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Abstract
A critical survey is given of new developments in the study of collision dynamics of diatomic radicals. The impetus for this survey comes from new experimental results on near state-to-state scattering dynamics of radicals with simple collision partners that have been obtained using the crossed-beam technique. These results, on both inelastic and reactive scattering, provide a unique opportunity to compare experimental observations with formal quantum scattering theory. Photodissociation is also briefly discussed because of its relevance to our fundamental understanding of fine-structure effects associated with radicals arising in all three processes. A few basic concepts pertaining to the dynamics of open-shell systems are outlined. The emphasis is on the underlying physical principles rather than on detailed theoretical treatments. To illustrate the strong interaction between theory and experiment a few case studies of systems investigated under crossed-beam conditions are highlighted. These new results also prompt an appraisal of what an experimentalist should be most anxious to measure and indicate specific areas in which further theoretical developments can be most profitable in the future.