Differential scattering of Na(3P) from HF. Reactive and non-reactive processes

Abstract

Double differential cross-sections for the scattering of a laser-excited Na beam from an HF beam have been measured at collision energies between 0.29 and 0.86 eV. To the observed quantity ground-state collisions contribute with non-reactive events, and excited-state collisions contribute with reactive and non-reactive events. Therefore the analysis of the data allows us to determine sound estimates for characteristics of the potential-energy surfaces and the dynamics of the reaction. The effect of alignment of the attacking atom has also been studied. Our results show that this influence is small (2.5%) and is connected with the non-reactive channels.