Vibrational and Rotational Transitions in Molecular Collisions

Abstract

Theoretical studies on the rotational and vibrational transitions in molecular collisions are reviewed. Discussions are mainly concerned with diatomic molecules. A brief historical introduction and a description of the scope of the article are presented. These are followed by introductory remarks on the relaxation times and the intermolecular interactions. Wave-mechanical formulation of the collision problem follows a brief description of the classical treatments. The rotational transitions in hydrogen molecules are discussed with the aid of the distorted wave method. Rotational transitions in other molecules present strong coupling problems, for which suggestions are made for approximate treatment. The vibrational transitions in colinear collisions are discussed in detail. The present situation in the theory of three-dimensional collisions is summarized. 202 references. (auth)