Molecular collisions. XXI. Semiclassical approximation to atom-symmetric top rotational excitation

Abstract

In Paper XIX of this series a distorted wave approximation to the T matrix for atom‐symmetric top scattering was developed which is correct to first order in the part of the interaction potential responsible for transitions in the component of rotational angular momentum along the symmetry axis of the top. A semiclassical expression for this T matrix is derived by assuming large values of orbital and rotational angular momentum quantum numbers.