The effect of vibrational bond stretching on rotational inelastic electron-molecule scattering

Differential cross sections for state-to-state rotationally inelastic electron-Na₂ scattering, with the molecule being in the vibrational levelv′'=31, are measured at a collision energy of 150 eV. Angular momentum transfer of up to Δj=26 is observed, which is even more than previously obtained for the vibrational ground statev′'=0. Good agreement is found with theoretical results from a spectator scattering model. This work, in general, elucidates the role of vibrational excitation in collision dynamics under vibrationally sudden conditions.