ANALYSIS OF ROTATIONAL COUPLING IN COLLISIONS OF LI-EXCITATION OF NE(WITH NE LEADING TO DOUBLE)

Electron angular distributions due to autoionization of Ne, doubly exc ited to the (2p(4)3s(2))D-1 state in collisions with Li+ in the energy range 1.2-2.2 keV, are measured in coincidence with Li+ scattered int o a well defined direction (Phi = 0 degrees, Theta(cm) = 10.8 degrees) . The experimental findings are analysed with the help of a collision model proposed earlier. In this model the initial excitation occurs by radial diabatic coupling to a molecular Sigma-state at small distance s, followed by rotational coupling to Pi- and Delta-states at intermed iate distances in the second half of the collision. The energy splitti ng between the Sigma-, Pi- and Delta-states is described by a model fu nction. By adapting two parameters of this model function, the experim ental findings can be reproduced within the experimental error in nume rical calculations involving the relevant set of coupled differential equations.