STATE-RESOLVED COLLISION-INDUCED ELECTRONIC-TRANSITIONS

Laser and molecular beam techniques have enabled researchers to determ ine the rovibrational levels populated in collision-induced electronic transitions from specified initial levels of several diatomic molecul es. As exemplified by the N-2(+)- and CN-rare-gas systems, such measur ements, in combination with theoretical calculations of cross sections for these state-to-state collisional processes, provide a means to un derstand in detail the dynamics of these electronic quenching and ener gy transfer processes. The present article reviews state-to-state stud ies of collision-induced electronic transitions. The various collision systems studied provide examples of both perturbation-assisted ''gate ways'' between the initial and final electronic states and perturbatio n-independent transitions enabled by nonadiabatic mixing induced by th e collision partner.