Collisional dynamics of Bi2 A(0u+). II. State-to-state rotational energy transfer

Abstract

Rotational-to-translational (R–T) energy transfer within v′=1 of the A(0u+) state of Bi2 has been investigated using spectrally resolved, laser induced fluorescence techniques. Spectrally resolved emissions from collisionally populated rotational levels of Bi2(A,v′=1) were observed for helium, neon, and argon collision partners after laser excitation of the high rotational levels J′=171, 201, and 231. Total rotational removal rates from the initially prepared state range from 2.8–8.9×10−10 cm3/molecule s. Collisional population of rotational states with |ΔJ|⩽56 was observed at pressures of 0.09–1.4 Torr. The state-to-state rates are adequately modeled by the energy based statistical power gap law.