Reduced dimensionality spin-orbit dynamics of CH3 + HCl $\rightleftharpoons$⇌ CH4 + Cl on ab initio surfaces

Abstract

A reduced dimensionality quantum scattering method is extended to the study of spin-orbit nonadiabatic transitions in the CH3 + HCl $\rightleftharpoons$⇌ CH4 + Cl(2PJ) reaction. Three two-dimensional potential energy surfaces are developed by fitting a 29 parameter double-Morse function to CCSD(T)/IB//MP2/cc-pV(T+d)Z-dk ab initio data; interaction between surfaces is described by geometry-dependent spin-orbit coupling functions fit to MCSCF/cc-pV(T+d)Z-dk ab initio data. Spectator modes are treated adiabatically via inclusion of curvilinear projected frequencies. The total scattering wave function is expanded in a vibronic basis set and close-coupled equations are solved via R-matrix propagation. Ground state thermal rate constants for forward and reverse reactions agree well with experiment. Multi-surface reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, and initial-state selected branching ratios all highlight the importance of vibrational energy in mediating nonadiabatic transition. Electronically excited state dynamics are seen to play a small but significant role as consistent with experimental conclusions.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 26, 2011
Source ID
10.1063/1.3592732

Entities

People

  • Andrew Orr-Ewing
  • David C. Clary
  • Jeremy N. Harvey
  • Sarah M. Remmert
  • Simon T. Banks

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • University College London
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Oxford

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing
  • Space