DIFFERENTIAL SCATTERING OF NA-NA IN THE SUBTHERMAL ENERGY-RANGE

We have calculated total and differential cross sections for the Na-2 scattering complex in the triplet ground state, using the state-of-the -art triplet Coulomb potential. Resonances in the cross section appear in the projectile velocity range 0-50 m/s for the even partial waves e=2,6,8,12,16. The most significant resonance occurs at 10.48 m/s due to e=6 with a total cross section of 7145 Angstrom(2). Pronounced stru ctures in the differential cross sections can be resolved for projecti le velocity widths of about 1 m/s which are typical for laser Doppler cooling. In order to check and improve the currently used triplet pote ntial curve we have evaluated the feasibility of a scattering experime nt.