Knowledge Bank

Collision induced vibrational energy transfer of highly excited $I2$(X) was studied in a helium free jet expansion at about 5K. Stimulated emission pumping was used to prepare a specified vibrational state. Laser induced fluorescence of the D-X transition was then used to probe the initial and the collisionally populated states. Two vibrational levels (v=23, v=43) of $I2$(X) were examined in this study. Preliminary analysis suggests a weak vibrational dependence of the relaxation rate constants as well as a near temperature independent cross section when compared to room temperature data. These findings are in disagreement with the predictions of the Landau-Teller model. A more detailed analysis will be performed and the results presented.