Pair-correlated stereodynamics for diatom-diatom rotational energy transfer: NO(A²Σ⁺) + N₂

We have performed a crossed molecular beam velocity-map ion imaging study of state-to-state rotational energy transfer of NO(A²Σ⁺, v = 0, N = 0, j = 0.5) in collisions with N₂ and have measured rotational angular momentum polarization dependent images of product NO(A) rotational levels N' = 3 and 5-11 for collisions at an average energy of 797 cm^-1. We present an extension of our previously published [T. F. M. Luxford et al., J. Chem. Phys. 145, 174 304 (2016)] image analysis which includes the effect of rotational excitation of the unobserved collision partner and critically evaluate this methodology. We report differential cross sections and angle-resolved angular momentum alignment moments for NO(A) levels N' = 3 and 5-11 as a function of the rotational excitation of the coincident N₂ partner. The scattering dynamics of NO(A) + N₂ share similarities with those previously reported for NO(A) + Ne and Ar, although with detailed differences. We use comparison of the measurements reported here to the scattering of NO(A) with Ne, and the known NO(A)-Ne potential energy surface, to draw conclusions about the previously unknown NO(A)-N₂ potential.