2012MNRAS.420..579G

We report de-excitation (and excitation) rate coefficients based on previous time-independent close-coupling scattering calculations for the rotational transitions of the hydrogen fluoride (HF) induced by collision with the two nuclear spin isomers ortho- and para-H₂. These calculations were realized with the use of a new global four-dimensional potential energy surface recently computed by our group. We consider transitions for HF rotational levels up to j_HF= 7, and for H₂ levels up to {dot}j_H2= 3 (ortho-H₂) and {dot}j_H2= 2 (para-H₂). Rates are calculated for a range of temperatures up to 150 K. Our results show a strong difference of behaviour between ortho-H₂ and para-H₂ and validate the much stronger efficiency for the quenching of HF in collision with H₂ in comparison with He.