ALIGNMENT EFFECTS IN THE DISSOCIATION OF H-2(-EXCITED SODIUM ATOMS() IN COLLISIONS WITH LASER)

Alignment effects are reported for the dissociation of H-2(+) in colli sions with laser-excited sodium in the laboratory collision energy ran ge 600-2400 eV. Measurement of coincidences between H+ and H for diffe rent laser polarizations enables a straightforward analysis of the exp erimental results and reduces the number of possible dissociation mech anisms when compared with measurements in which only protons are detec ted. A mechanism involving autoionization of high-lying Rydberg states of H-2 is proposed as one possible mechanism for the production of pr otons with very low kinetic energies.