Polarised laser fluorescence of Se2. Part 2.—Reorientation of zero nuclear spin homonuclear diatomics
Abstract
The origins of the resistance to change of m-states in translation–rotation energy transfer are further investigated by considering the possibility that coupling of rotational angular momentum to nuclear spin may confer stability. This study reports a polarised-fluorescence investigation of the zero nuclear spin molecule 80Se2 where we find negligible reorientation by elastic collisions and slow reorientation by inelastic processes. This is in line with our previous findings on I2, Li2 and NaK but is at variance with the somewhat analogous case of oriented 2P1/2 atoms.