Steric Effect in the Energy Transfer Reaction of N2 + Rg (3P2) (Rg = Kr, Ar)

Abstract

Steric effect for the formation of N 2 (B, (3)Pi u ) in the energy transfer reaction of Kr ( (3)P 2) + N 2 has been measured using an oriented Kr ( (3)P 2, M J = 2) beam at a collision energy of 0.07 eV. The N 2 (B, (3)Pi u ) emission intensity was measured as a function of the magnetic orientation field direction in the collision frame. A significant atomic alignment effect on the energy transfer probability was observed. This result was compared with that for the formation of N 2 (C, (3)Pi g ) in the Ar ( (3)P 2) + N 2 reaction. Despite the large difference on the energy transfer cross-section, the atomic alignment dependence for Kr ( (3)P 2) + N 2 is found to be analogous to that for Ar ( (3)P 2) + N 2. It is revealed that the configuration of inner 4p (3p) orbital in the collision frame gives an important role for the stereoselectivity on electron transfer process via the curve-crossing mechanism.