Collision-induced transitions between electronic states <i>B</i>→<i>A</i> and <i>C</i>→<i>B</i> of laser-excited Li2 molecules

Abstract

Nonradiative transitions between the Li2 (C 1Πu, B 1Πu, A 1Σ+u) states have been studied using monochromatic laser excitation. In a cell experiment under single-collision conditions, the B–A transfer was induced by rare gas atom collisions. With argon, the cross section is 240 Å2. B→A and C→B transfer by Li atom collisions was observed with cross sections of 1200 and 330 Å2, while C→B transfer is not measurably induced by argon collisions. The final state rotational-vibrational level population distribution is very broad and non-Boltzmann.