Collisions of excited Na atoms with N2, C2H2 and N2O molecules. Surface-hopping calculation of the Na(3p) fine structure population

The results of optical collision experiments: fine structure population ratios and polarization alignment angles obtained from scattering of Na atoms which are optically 3s → 3p excited during the collision with N2, C2H2 and N2O molecules, have been simulated numerically and analysed using quantum chemically computed potential energy surfaces, classical trajectory calculations and the semiclassical surface hopping method combined with a specially developed diabatization procedure.