SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF THE STATE-TO-STATE DIFFERENTIAL CROSS-SECTION BY VELOCITY SELECTED DOUBLE-RESONANCE

We have measured the state-to-state differential scattering cross section (DCS) for a rotation inelastic process using an entirely spectroscopic method. The system studied was Li2(A1SIGMA(u)+)-Xe and the method utilizes two color sub-Doppler double resonance. Analysis of the shape of the double resonance line yields the final distribution of relative velocity vectors. This represents the first measurement of a state-to-state DCS using thermal cell spectroscopy. In addition we have determined, also for the first time, the dependence of the state-to-state DCS on initial relative velocity. Results axe presented for the DELTAj = 6 rotationally inelastic process.