Determination of Intermolecular Potentials by the Inversion of Molecular Beam Scattering Data. II. High Resolution Measurements of Differential Scattering Cross Sections and the Inversion of the Data for Na–Hg

Abstract

High resolution differential scattering cross-section measurements for Na–Hg were made using the method of crossed molecular beams. The experimental arrangement, which has a resolution Δυ / υ in the relative velocity of better than 2%, is described. The measured differential scattering cross-section curves show up to eight rainbows. The interaction potential between 3 and 9.5 Å was determined from these data by using the inversion procedure described in Part I. The potential well depth is 8.79 × 10−14 erg, and the minimum is at 4.72 Å. The shape of this potential deviates significantly from that of the simple multiparameter potentials commonly used.