Phase space barriers and dividing surfaces in the absence of critical points of the potential energy: Application to roaming in ozone

Abstract

We examine the phase space structures that govern reaction dynamics in the absence of critical points on the potential energy surface. We show that in the vicinity of hyperbolic invariant tori, it is possible to define phase space dividing surfaces that are analogous to the dividing surfaces governing transition from reactants to products near a critical point of the potential energy surface. We investigate the problem of capture of an atom by a diatomic molecule and show that a normally hyperbolic invariant manifold exists at large atom-diatom distances, away from any critical points on the potential. This normally hyperbolic invariant manifold is the anchor for the construction of a dividing surface in phase space, which defines the outer or loose transition state governing capture dynamics. We present an algorithm for sampling an approximate capture dividing surface, and apply our methods to the recombination of the ozone molecule. We treat both 2 and 3 degrees of freedom models with zero total angular momentum. We have located the normally hyperbolic invariant manifold from which the orbiting (outer) transition state is constructed. This forms the basis for our analysis of trajectories for ozone in general, but with particular emphasis on the roaming trajectories.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 03, 2016
Source ID
10.1063/1.4940798

Entities

People

  • Barry K. Carpenter
  • Frederic Mauguiere
  • Gregory S Ezra
  • Peter C. Collins
  • Stavros C Farantos
  • Stephen Wiggins
  • Zeb C. Kramer

Organizations

  • Cardiff University
  • Cornell University
  • Division of Grants & Agreements
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • Leverhulme Trust
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Crete

Tags

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space