Cross sections for inelastic collisions of aligned, excited atoms are calculated using ab initio molecular potential curves and couplings and a fully quantum mechanical scattering treatment. Agreement with currently available data is reasonable. The cross sections for specific transitions exhibit strong, energy-dependent oscillations, which are attributed to an interference effect.

• Received 30 August 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.1814