Supercollisions and energy transfer of highly vibrationally excited molecules

Collisional energy-transfer probability distribution functions of highly vibrationally excited molecules and the existence of supercollisions remain as the outstanding questions in the field of intermolecular energy transfer. In this investigation, collisional interactions between ground state Kr atoms and highly vibrationally excited azulene molecules (4.66 eV internal energy) were examined at a collision energy of 410 cm(-1) using a crossed molecular beam apparatus and time-sliced ion imaging techniques. A large amount of energy transfer (1000-5000 cm(-1)) in the backward direction was observed. We report the experimental measurement for the shape of the energy-transfer probability distribution function along with a direct observation of supercollisions. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.