Molecular beam investigation of the translational and vibrational to electronic energy transfer in the process K(42S) + N2(γ) → K(42P) + N2(γ') near threshold

The collisional excitation of alkali atoms by simple molecules has been studied extensively but little is known about the influence of vibrational energy in this process. Several shock wave studies and two more recent molecular beam experiments indicate that vibrational energy plays an important role hereby and may even lead to an enhancement of the electronic excitation. This work presents a molecular beam investigation of partial cross sections for the collision process K(42S) + N2(γ) → K(42P) + N2(γ') with γ = 0, 1, 2 and γ' = 0 near the energetic threshold. (Auth.)