ELECTRON-TRANSFER AND EXCITATION IN LOW-ENERGY N2+-ALKALI ATOM COLLISIONS

Inelastic collisions between N+2 ions and alkali atoms Li, K) have been investigated in the kinetic energy range 50–1000 eV (lab) using a crossed beam apparatus and spectroscopic analysis of collision-produced radiation (180–850 nm). Collision-induced excitation to the lowest alkali atom excited state was observed to compete favorably with near resonant charge transfer to N2(C). The vibrational state distributions within N2(C) from N+2–K collisions are in accord with a vertical transition model, while the distributions resulting from N+2–Li and Na collisions are not. These results are discussed within the framework of a surface crossing model developed to describe such collisions. Absolute cross sections for the observed processes are also reported. © 1979, American Institute of Physics. All rights reserved.