Predicting inelastic rovibrational state distributions from an energy constrained angular momentum mechanism

We present a quantitative version of the velocity–angular momentum plots of Besley et al. that we have used extensively to represent the key processes at work in collisional transfer mechanisms. Rotational state distributions are obtained by incorporating probability distributions of the relevant variables, and the Monte Carlo (MC) trajectory technique is used to sample these distributions. The method is illustrated with the case of weakly quasi-resonant vibration rotation transfer in A(1Σu+)Li2+Ne collisions. The results show excellent agreement with published experimental data, indicating the apparent dominance of the factors governing angular momentum (AM) conversion in shaping rovibrational distributions.