Abstract
Studies of the dynamics of molecular collisions provide insight into the mechanisms which control energy transfer and chemical reaction processes. High resolution lasers have essentially revolutionized the study of collision dynamics by providing probes for the individual quantum states produced as a result of molecular collisions. Infrared diode lasers, which have a spectral purity of 0.0003 cm−1, offer a particularly convenient source of probe laser radiation which can be used to follow even the final quantum states of polyatomic molecules excited by collisions. The resolution of these devices is sufficient to probe velocity recoil profiles as well through measurements of the instantaneous Doppler profile of a particular spectral line. Variations in recoil velocity with the internal quantum state provide a wealth of information about the specific details of collisions which lead to the excitation of a particular molecular quantum state.
© 1989 Optical Society of America
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