Experimental differential cross sections for laser-excited sodium in the /sup 2/P/sub 3///sub 2/ state in collision with mercury

Differential cross sections for Na/sup 2/P/sub 3///sub 2/ have been measured in collisions with Hg at thermal energies. In the angular range between 4degree and 30degree, the coarse structure of the cross section relative to the well-known ground-state interaction is given. In the region between 40degree and 70degree, an oscillatory behavior of the cross section is observed. Because of their velocity dependence, these oscillations are attributed to fine-structure transitions. (AIP)