Radiative association of LiH(X1Σ+) from electronically excited lithium atoms

Full quantum calculations are carried out for the collisional processes involving H atoms in their ground electronic state and electronically excited lithium atoms, Li(1${\mathit{s}}^2$2p). The channels that are being considered are those leading to the formation of bound rotovibrational states of LiH(X${\mathrm{}}^1$ ${\mathrm{\Sigma }}^{+}$). The effects of both the specific features of the involved electronic potential-energy curves and of the transition moments coupling bound and continuum states during the process are studied in relation to the low-energy behavior of the corresponding cross sections. The role of the multitude of open channel resonances on the final rate constants is also analyzed and discussed over a broad range of bath temperatures. © 1996 The American Physical Society.