Quantum Vibrational Transition Probabilities in Diatomic–Diatomic-Molecule Collisions

Abstract

Collinear collisions of diatomic molecules (harmonic oscillators) are examined by means of the method of Cheung and Wilson, and the dependence of the vibrational transition probabilities on incident relative translational energy, atomic masses, and intermolecular interaction potential is ascertained. Vibration–vibration transfer processes are found to be significant but not necessarily dominant, and the matching of the vibration frequencies of the colliding molecules does not appear to be an important factor in vibration–vibration transfer. Certain mass ratios lead to computational difficulties with this method.