Ω-level selectivity of CO(d 3ΔΩ) produced by excitation transfer from Xe( 3P 0,2) to CO(X 1Σ +)

Abstract

The electronic energy transfer from Xe( 3P 2) to CO yields an enhanced population of the fine structure components CO(d, Ω=2,3) relative to Ω=1, in the vibrational level ν=7, but not in ν=6. A theoretical analysis is given for the Ω-selectivity considering: (i) a pure Coulomb interaction coupled with electron exchange and (ii) spin-dependent interactions. In case (i) only non-collinear collision geometries are allowed, and the predicted relative Ω population agrees with the observation for ν=7. In case (ii), collinear excitation transfer can occur, but the observed Ω distribution is only consistent with non-collinear collisions. Similar predictions are also made for Xe( 3P 0) reactions.