Dependence of vibrational transition probabilities on the orientation angle in the three-dimensional BC + A collission

Abstract

The dependence of vibrational transition probabilities on molecular orientation in the three-dimensional BC + A collision at high velocities has been investigated. For O 2 + Ar collisions calculation of the 0 → 1 vibrational transition probability shows that the collinear orientation is very inefficient for vibrational transitions above the collision velocity of about 10 6 cm/sec when the impact parameter is greater than the Lennard-Jones parameter (i.e., b ⪢ σ). When b < σ, it is also very inefficient for velocities lower than this value. At higher collision velocities, the perpendicular orientation with nonzero impact parameter becomes efficient for vibrational energy transfer.