Mercury 6 3P J relaxation and intramultiplet mixing under collisions with H2, HD, D2, and He

Abstract

Absolute rate constants for quenching and intramultiplet mixing of Hg(6³P_0,1,2) by collisions with H₂, HD, and D₂ have been determined. A smooth variation of these coefficients with the isotopic form of hydrogen has been observed. For He only an upper limit of the rate constants has been obtained. Attempts to explain the ³P₁←³P₂ transfer by simple mechanisms are described. The surface crossing mechanism seems the most adapted. But a theory more elaborate than the one presented here should be developed, including both the rotational and the vibrational degrees of freedom of the molecule.