Studies of inelastic cross-section in Rb(7S) + Rb(5S) collisions

The cross section σ = (8 ± 4) × 10 −15 cm 2 was determined for the Rb(7S) + Rb(5S) → Rb(5D) + Rb(5S) excitation energy transfer process, and the quenching cross section σ q = (2 ± 1) × 10 −14 cm 2 for the Rb(5D) state in collisions with ground state Rb atoms. Applying rubidium quasimolecular asymptotic potential curves at relatively large internuclear distances, a qualitative interpretation of the experimental results is presented. It is shown that the quenching of the Rb(5D) atoms in collisions may be explained by a reversed energy pooling process Rb(5D) + Rb(5S) → Rb(5P) + Rb(5P).