Mapping partial wave dynamics in scattering resonances by rotational de-excitation collisions

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: de Jongh, Tim, Shuai, Quan, Abma, Grite L., Kuijpers, Stach, Besemer, Matthieu, van der Avoird, Ad, Groenenboom, Gerrit C., van de Meerakker, Sebastiaan Y. T.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2021
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author de Jongh, Tim
Shuai, Quan
Abma, Grite L.
Kuijpers, Stach
Besemer, Matthieu
van der Avoird, Ad
Groenenboom, Gerrit C.
van de Meerakker, Sebastiaan Y. T.
author_facet de Jongh, Tim
Shuai, Quan
Abma, Grite L.
Kuijpers, Stach
Besemer, Matthieu
van der Avoird, Ad
Groenenboom, Gerrit C.
van de Meerakker, Sebastiaan Y. T.
contents One of the most important parameters in a collision is the 'miss distance' or impact parameter, which in quantum mechanics is described by quantized partial waves. Usually, the collision outcome is the result of unavoidable averaging over many partial waves. Here we present a study of low-energy NO\textendash He collisions, that enables us to probe how individual partial waves evolve during the collision. By tuning the collision energies to scattering resonances between 0.4 and 6 cm$^{-1}$, the initial conditions are characterized by a limited set of partial waves. By preparing NO in a rotationally excited state before the collision and by studying rotational de-excitation collisions, we were able to add one quantum of angular momentum to the system and trace how it evolves. Distinct fingerprints in the differential cross sections yield a comprehensive picture of the partial wave dynamics during the scattering process. Exploiting the principle of detailed balance, we show that rotational de-excitation collisions probe time-reversed excitation processes with superior energy and angular resolution.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2112_07446
institution arXiv
publishDate 2021
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Mapping partial wave dynamics in scattering resonances by rotational de-excitation collisions
de Jongh, Tim
Shuai, Quan
Abma, Grite L.
Kuijpers, Stach
Besemer, Matthieu
van der Avoird, Ad
Groenenboom, Gerrit C.
van de Meerakker, Sebastiaan Y. T.
Atomic Physics
Chemical Physics
One of the most important parameters in a collision is the 'miss distance' or impact parameter, which in quantum mechanics is described by quantized partial waves. Usually, the collision outcome is the result of unavoidable averaging over many partial waves. Here we present a study of low-energy NO\textendash He collisions, that enables us to probe how individual partial waves evolve during the collision. By tuning the collision energies to scattering resonances between 0.4 and 6 cm$^{-1}$, the initial conditions are characterized by a limited set of partial waves. By preparing NO in a rotationally excited state before the collision and by studying rotational de-excitation collisions, we were able to add one quantum of angular momentum to the system and trace how it evolves. Distinct fingerprints in the differential cross sections yield a comprehensive picture of the partial wave dynamics during the scattering process. Exploiting the principle of detailed balance, we show that rotational de-excitation collisions probe time-reversed excitation processes with superior energy and angular resolution.
title Mapping partial wave dynamics in scattering resonances by rotational de-excitation collisions
topic Atomic Physics
Chemical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.07446