Energy transfer in Rydberg atom collision processes at intermediate n
The velocity dependence of rate constants for reactions of molecules with K(np) Rydberg atoms having intermediate values of n (13 {<=} n {<=} 25) are being investigated to examine the mechanisms for energy transfer in Rydberg atom collisions. Collisions with C{sub 6}H{sub 6} lead to associative ionization. The rate constants for KC{sub 6}H{sub 6}{sup +} formation are strongly velocity dependent, increasing rapidly with decreasing collision velocity. This results because at low collision velocities the Rydberg electron has a greater time to effect stabilization of the excited KC{sub 6}H{sub 6}{sup +} intermediate formed through a binary core ion - target interaction. Collisions with CS{sub 2} result in the formation of CS{sub 2}{sup -} ions, a fraction of which undergo electric-field-induced autodetachment. The velocity dependence of the CS{sub 2}{sup -} ion signal provides evidence that excited CS{sub 2}{sup -} ions initially formed by Rydberg electron capture can be stabilized through energy transfer to the core ion. A similar mechanism is observed in collisions with C{sub 2}Cl{sub 4}, which can result in the formation of C{sub 2}Cl{sub 4}{sup -} or Cl{sup -} ions. These data show that internal to translational energy transfer is important in many Rydberg atom collision processes at intermediate n.
- OSTI ID:
- 281407
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9305421--
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 38; ISSN BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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