Vibration-Electronic Coupling in the Quenching of Electronically Excited Alkali Atoms by Diatomics

Abstract

This paper reviews the ionic intermediate curve crossing model and the quenching of electronically excited atoms by simple diatomics and extends previous calculations to include predictions for the partial cross sections of the first electronic state of all the alkali atoms by N(2) and CO. Also included are calculations on the partial cross sections for Na quenching in high vibrational temperature environments, Na quenching by the inert gases, and the relaxation of N(2) vibrational energy in collisions with alkali atoms. An extension of this curve crossing model to ionization processes in the alkali atoms and to reactions involving covalent curve crossing is briefly discussed.