Differential cross sections for collisional excitation of the potassium 4²P states by noble-gas atoms

Relative differential cross sections are presented for the collisional excitation of K(4 2 P) by He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe. The inelastic process is identified by measuring the time correlation between the scattered alkali atom and the emitted photon in a particle-photon coincidence experiment. The measured cross sections are used to identify the curve crossings responsible for the excitation process and to derive the excitation probability as a function of impact parameter.