Energy transfer of O(1D) atoms in collision with O(3P) atoms

Abstract

Calculations are carried out of the elastic scattering and excitation exchange cross-sections in collisions of O(1D) and O(3P) atoms, which determine the degree of thermalization of the O(1D) atoms produced by dissociative recombination in the thermosphere. The effective elastic scattering and excitation exchange cross-sections are calculated to be 1.55 x 10-15 and 6.25 x 10-16 cm2, respectively, at a relative collision energy of 1.0 eV. The mutual diffusion coefficient between O(1D) and O(3P) atoms is also presented.