CRITERIA FOR APPLICABILITY OF THE IMPULSE APPROACH TO COLLISIONS

Using an exact formulation of impulse approach (IA) to atom-diatom collisions, we assess its internal consistency. By comparing the cross sections in the forward and reverse directions for the vibrational-rotational inelastic processes, using the half-on-the-shell (post and prior) models of the two-body t matrix, we show that in both cases the IA leads to a violation of the semidetailed balance (SDB) condition for small scattering angles. An off-shell model for the two-body t matrix, which preserves SDB, is shown to have other serious shortcomings. The cross sections are studied quantitatively as a function of the relative translational energy and the mass of the incident particle, and criteria discussed for the applicability of IA. © 1990 The American Physical Society.