We find an l = 2 shape resonance fingerprinted in the angular distribution of the cold (∼1 K) Δj = 2 rotationally inelastic collision of D2 with He in a single supersonic expansion. The Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage is used to prepare D2 in the (v = 2, j = 2) rovibrational level with control of the spatial distribution of the bond axis of the molecule by magnetic sublevel selection. We show that the rate of Δj = 2 D2–D2 relaxation is nearly two orders of magnitude weaker than that of D2–He. This suggests that the strong D2–He scattering is caused by an orbiting resonance that is highly sensitive to the shape of the long-range potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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