Inelastic collisions of molecules within the SFO model

An inelastic collision of diatomic molecule $AB$ with structureless particle $M$ ($VT$ energy exchange) is considered within the SFO/SFHO model. An approach for determining the energy efficiency of excitation of molecular vibrational levels, energy-loss matrix, and total energy loss in a head-on collision with molecules/atoms is proposed. Nitrogen molecules $\rm N_2$ are chosen as $AB$ and $M$. An interaction in the $AB$–$M$ system was described using the “improved” Lennard-Jones potential.