Time spectroscopy in theA 1∑ u + state of Li2

We have determined effective cross-sections for resonant transfer of excitation energy from state-selected Li₂ molecules to ground state Li atoms $$Li_2 Aleft( {upsilon ',J'} right) + Li2S to Li_2 Xleft( {upsilon '',J''} right) + Li2P$$ with two different experimental techniques. Absolute cross-sections were derived from lifetime measurements of 114 rotational levels of theA-state subject to resonant collisions which belong to vibrational statesv′=4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 of⁶Li₂ and⁷Li₂. Cross-sections amount to several thousand Ų dropping off sharply with a resonance half-width of about 16 cm^?1. The resonance behaviour of the collision cross-section inferred from lifetime data could be confirmed by a double resonance technique probing the number of excited atoms with a second laser while the first laser was scanned over the Li₂ X?A absorption band. Due to their high reliability our data prove a good basis for the test of theoretical models. In contrast to earlier investigations significant deviations were found to exist between the measured cross-sections and those predicted by the first-order dipole-dipole scattering theory.