P-state-to-P-state transitions in optically prepared atomic collisions: II. Alignment propensity for Na(3p) → Li(2p) electron transfer

The electron transfer reaction Li+ + Na(3p) → Li(2p) + Na+ is studied experimentally and theoretically in the velocity range v = 0.1-0.4 au. The final state manifold as a function of the optical preparation of the initial state is investigated by means of Stokes parameter analysis of the Li(2p) final state fluorescence polarization. At a critical collision velocity vc ≈ 0.2 au the results reveal a pronounced propensity for alignment of the final state perpendicular to the incident beam direction, independent of the optical preparation of the initial state. This observation is interpreted in terms of the velocity matching model of Sidky and Simonsen (Sidky E and Simonsen J H 1996 Phys. Rev. 54 1417).

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Author Sonia Grego Electrical and Computer Engineering