Inelastic collision cross section of excited molecules

The (v′=6,J′=43) level in theB ¹Π _u electronic state of Na₂ has been selectively populated by excitation with the 4 880 Å line of the argon laser. Through collisions with He atoms energy is transferred to neighbouring rotational states in Na₂ and the density of these states is determined by observing fluorescence to electronic ground state. From previous measurement of the lifetime of theB ¹Π _u state and new measurements of the intensities of collision induced spectral lines as a function of He pressure, absolute collision cross sections for all rotational transitions up to ΔJ=±5 have been obtained. The total cross section for all rotational transitions observed is σ _rot ^total =65±15 Ų. Preliminary results about collision induced vibrational transitions are also presented.