Velocity dependence of electronic to vibronic energy conversion for Hg(63 <i>P</i>2) in molecular collisions

Abstract

The de-excitation of metastable mercury atoms (63P2→63P1) by collisions with H2, D2, N2, NO, and CH4 has been studied in a modulated crossed beam experiment. The molecular beam was velocity selected and the photon emission at 2537 Å was studied vs the molecule speed. From these measurements, quenching cross sections vs initial collision energy are derived. These results, which are discussed in terms of two existing theories, suggest that quenching occurs when electronic-vibrational terms of the quasimolecule intersect.