Spin Torque on Molecular Rotation Induced by Polarized Electrons

Authors

J. W. Maseberg, Behlen Laboratory of Physics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Timothy J. Gay, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in PHYSICAL REVIEW A 79, 022705 (2009). Copyright ©2009 The American Physical Society. Used by permission.

Abstract

We have measured the linear and circular polarization of 391.4 nm N₂⁺ B ²Σ_u⁺(υ’=0) → X²Σ_g⁺(υⁿ=0) P-branch fluorescence produced by spin-polarized electron impact excitation of N₂ X¹ Σ_g⁺(υ=0) ground states. The resulting nonzero values of the circular polarization indicate that spin-rotation coupling, in conjunction with electron exchange excitation, acts to produce oriented rotational angular momenta in the excited molecular state prior to decay.