Comparison equation approach to the locking of electronic angular momentum to the molecular axis in atomic collisions

Abstract

A comparison equation is set up and solved for the locking of an electronic angular momentum j= 1 to the molecular axis during a collision of two atoms. Two parameters which enter into the comparison equation characterize the strength and the abruptness of the locking. A solution found allows one to investigate the transition from loose locking to tight locking. A new definition of the locking distance is suggested. A method to calculate the slipping probability which describes the deviation of the locking event from its sudden limit is proposed.