Vibronic excitation in K+O2 collisions

Energy-loss studies have been performed for neutral scattering in K+O2 collisions at laboratory energies of 27.7 and 96.8 eV. The data have been obtained using a multiple-pulsing time-of-flight technique. A Fourier deconvolution procedure eliminates the second peak in the time of flight spectrum due to the 41K isotope. The energy-loss spectra show two excitation processes. One of these can be identified with vibrational excitation of O2, due to the evolution of the trajectory along the intermediate ionic state. In this way about 1.4 eV of energy can be transferred from translation to vibration via a vibronic excitation. In addition, electronic excitation of K or O2 is observed together with vibrational excitation. (orig.)