The influence of rotational changes on the quantum number scaling of vibrationally inelastic rate constants

A general formula is presented, based upon the energy corrected sudden scaling theory, which describes the variation of rotationally equilibrated vibration-to-translation relaxation rates with initial vibrational state. The influence of each rotational quantum number change on the vibrational scaling is explicitly displayed. This result allows for a detailed investigation of the possible role of rotational transitions on the vibrational relaxation in HF and DF upon collisions with structureless particles. Application to the HF–HF system yields the separate V–T and V–V relaxation rates in different vibrational levels.