Vibrational quenching of N2 (ν=1, jrot=j) by 3He:: Surface and close-coupling calculations at very low energy -: art. no. 042703

A quantum-mechanical investigation of the vibrational deactivation of N-14(2)(nu = 1, j(rot) = j) in the ultracold collisions with He-3 atoms is presented. Ab initio potential-energy calculations are carried out at BCCD(T) level and a global three-dimensional potential-energy surface is obtained by fitting ab initio points within the reproducing kernel Hilbert space method. Close coupling scattering calculations are performed at collision energy ranging from 10(-6) to 2000 cm(-1). It is shown that the potential-energy surface supports a series of shape and Feshbach resonances. Their influence on the behavior of elastic and inelastic cross sections and quenching rate coefficients is discussed. It is demonstrated that, similar to the He-O-2 system, the rate coefficients exhibit three different regimes: Wigner regime at very low temperatures, van der Waals regime at intermediate temperatures due to series of resonances, and the usual rovibration-translation energy transfer regime at high temperatures.