KINETIC-THEORY OF ROTATING MOLECULE INTERACTION WITH A SOLID-SURFACE

A kinetic theory of interaction between molecules with rotational degr ees of freedom and a solid surface for arbitrary ratios among the time s of molecule rotation, flight through the region of surface forces, a nd relaxation of a molecular ensemble due to phonons has been develope d. A kinetic equation for an ensemble of molecules residing in the fie ld of surface forces has been derived from the equation for the one-pa rticle distribution function of molecules by averaging it along the dy namical trajectories in the region of surface force action. A simple a nalytic expression for the probability of trapping a molecule with rot ational degrees of freedom has been obtained. Experimental data on rot ational cooling and rotational polarization of desorbed molecules are discussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.