Inelastic transitions in vibrationally excited Na2 induced by intermediate-energy-electron impact.

Abstract

Differential cross sections for rotational transitions from vibrationally excited sodium dimers (v=2 and v=31) by electron impact at 150 eV have been measured. The rotational inelasticity increases with the initial vibrational quantum number. Analysis of the data provides clear evidence for vibrational transitions as well. The cross section for vibrational transitions increases with the vibrational quantum number and is not small compared to the cross section for rotational transitions. The experimental data are well reproduced by a simple two-center model.