Evidence for a molecular J–J coupling scheme for KI neutral potentials

We have measured the differential probability of electron spin depolarization for scattering polarized potassium from atomic iodine with several different orientations of the axis of quantization relative to the collision axes. No dependence on this orientation was found, contrary to the predictions of our model for spin depolarization when a strong coupling of the electron spin to the internuclear axis is present during the collision. Consequently, we conclude that the coupling scheme for the lowest neutral states of the KI molecule involved predominantly a coupling of the total electronic spin of the potassium and the total electronic spin of the iodine.