Quantum theory of molecule-surface scattering: Rotational transitions

The quantum theory of atomic scattering from hard surfaces, previously developed, is extended to cover molecular scattering, taking into account rotational transitions. Two methods (a perturbative and a nonperturbative approach) are considered: the former is applied to H₂ scattering, the latter to HD scattering from LiF. A comparison with recent experimental data gives satisfactory results when a potential well of 440 K and a corrugation amplitude of 0.17 Å are assumed for the H₂ — LiF interaction.