State-to-state dynamics of molecular energy transfer

Progress on this DOE project during the 1990--91 budget year can be divided into three distinct parts. In chronological order: we completed both experimental and theoretical work on vibrational-rotational excitation of glyoxal, (CHO)2 in collisions with He. We then moved the crossed molecular beam apparatus to a new laboratory, in order to provide access to the lasers needed for stimulated-emission pumping (SEP) experiments. In the process, we upgraded both the detector and data acquisition electronics. Finally, we carried out the first crossed beam experiments anywhere in which SEP was used to selectively prepare a highly excited initial state of reactants