AN EXPERIMENTAL-DETERMINATION OF THE COMPLETE TRANSITION MATRIX FOR THE ELECTRON-TRANSFER PROCESS LI-]LI(2P)+NA+(+NA(3S))

We have performed an experimental study of the electron transfer proce sses in Li+-Na(3s) collisions leading to Li(2s) and Li(2p), using a Li -6(+) beam at a collision energy of 1 keV. Neutral particles scattered in a narrow forward cone were detected in coincidence with polarizati on-analysed photons emitted from the Li(2p) state. This technique enab led determination of the complete Li(2p) transition matrix as a functi on of Scattering angle, which is typically a fraction of a degree. The experimental results for the complete set of differential cross secti ons and coherence parameters are in excellent agreement with the predi ctions of recent molecular basis coupled-channel calculations of Machh olm and Courbin.