THEORETICAL-STUDY OF NA(4P(2)P)-TRANSFER BETWEEN CD-ASTERISK AND NA(NA(3S(2)S) AND CD(5P(3)P(0))+NA(3S(2)S) COLLISIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE ENERGY)

We have computed the cross sections for the energy transfer process Cd (5p(3)P(0)) + Na(3s(2)S) --> Cd(5s(1)S) + Na(4p(2)P) and for the state changing collision Na(4p(2)P)+ Na(3s(2)S) --> Na(3d(2)D) + Na(3s(2)S) , based on theoretical interaction potentials for the NaCd and Na-2 sy stems, respectively. Our calculations shed light on the interpretation of experiments with laser excited Na+Cd vapour mixtures [1]. It turns out that Cd(5p(3)P(0)), in rapid equilibrium with the doorway state C d(5p(3)P(1)), efficiently transfers energy to Na, populating the 4p(2) P state. The collisions with ground state Na cause a very fast convers ion of the 4p(2)P to the 3d(2)D state, from which the strongest emissi on is observed.