Nonadiabatic transitions in the exit channel of atom-molecule collisions: Fine-structure branching in Na+N[sub 2]

Abstract

We study Na+N₂collisions by laser excitation of the collision complex in a differential scattering experiment. The measured relative population of the Na(3p) fine-structure levels reflects the nonadiabatic transitions occuring in the exit channel of the collision.Theoretical results obtained with a classical-path formalism and accurate quantum chemical data for NaN₂ are found to be in good agreement. The presence of a conical intersection for the T-shaped geometry has a profound influence on the observed fine-structure branching. Show more