Stereodynamical control of cold collisions between two aligned D2 molecules

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for controlling cold bimolecular collisions of aligned D2 molecules, demonstrating how molecular alignment influences collision outcomes and resonances.

Contribution

It introduces a formalism for simulating collisions of aligned molecules and applies it to D2 molecules, revealing the role of partial wave resonances in collision dynamics.

Findings

Reproduces experimental angular distributions using quantum scattering calculations.

Identifies a partial wave resonance with orbital angular momentum L=4 as a key feature.

Shows control of collision outcomes through molecular alignment.

Abstract

Resonant scattering of optically state-prepared and aligned molecules in the cold regime allows the most detailed interrogation and control of bimolecular collisions. This technique has recently been applied to collisions of two aligned ortho-D2 molecules prepared in the j=2 rotational level of the v=2 vibrational manifold using the Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage technique. Here, we develop the theoretical formalism for collisions of two aligned molecules and apply our approach to state-prepared D2(v=2,j=2) + D2(v=2,j=2) --> D2(v=2,j=2) + D2(v=2,j=0) collisions. Quantum scattering calculations were performed in full-dimensionality on an accurate H$_2$-H$_2$ interaction potential. Key features of the experimental angular distributions are reproduced and attributed primarily to a partial wave resonance with orbital angular momentum L=4