On the dynamics of the selective electronic and vibrational excitation of nitrogen in the recombination between F− and N2+

The charge transfer reaction F−(1S0) + N2+(X 2Σg+) → N2(B 3Πg, ν) + F(2P) is analyzed by numerical calculations of the dynamics on empirical covalent and ionic potential energy surfaces. The present calculations are aimed at an explanation of the branching ratios between the vibrational levels of the N2(B) product as previously measured. The collisions are treated as sudden with respect to molecular rotation and the reaction is assumed to be adiabatic on vibronic states. Crossings between entrance and exit channels, which are responsible for the nonadiabatic transitions, are treated by Landau-Zener theory and information on the strength and radial dependence of the relevant coupling matrix element is obtained.