Collisional ionization of high-Rydberg lithium atoms in thermal-energy encounters with rapidly rotating polar molecules

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.444660· OSTI ID:6238776

Shepard, C L; Kocher, C A

Ionization cross sections for high-Ryberg lithium atoms in collisions with the polar molecules NH/sub 3/, H/sub 2/O, and H/sub 2/S have been determined by analysis of time-of-flight distributions for a thermal beam of lithium atoms excited by pulsed electron impact. States with principal quantum numbers n in the range 20< or approx. =n< or approx. =75 are excited, with a peak in the distribution at napprox. =35. The cross sections are of order 10/sup -12/ cm/sup 2/ for all three molecules. Theoretical calculations are also described, based on the first Born approximation, in which the outermost Rydberg electron is assumed to be essentially free. This theory, as well as the calculation of Matsuzawa, slightly underestimates the experimental results.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
• OSTI ID: 6238776
• Journal Information: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 78:11; ISSN JCPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640304* -- Atomic
Molecular &amp; Chemical Physics-- Collision Phenomena
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
AMMONIA
ATOM COLLISIONS
ATOM-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
ATOMIC BEAMS
BEAMS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLISIONS
CROSS SECTIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
IONIZATION
LITHIUM
METALS
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR