Inelastic Scattering Matrix Elements for the Collision B(2P1/2) + H2(j) --> B(2P3/2) + H2(j').

Abstract

Initial efforts to characterize the scattering dynamics of B + H2 focus on computing scattering matrix elements for the fine structure transition B (2P1/2) --> B (2P3/2) in collisions with H2, allowing for rotational excitation. Using a new application of the time dependent Channel Packet Method (CPM), reactant and product wave packets are prepared in the asymptotic limit on the B (2P1/2) and B (2P3/2) surfaces. They are propagated using the split operator method together wit a unitary transformation between the diabatic and adiabatic representations. Scattering matrix elements are computed from the Fourier transform of the correlation function between the evolving wave packets. These computations directly support the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Molecular Dynamics program and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) High Energy Density Matter (HEDM) program. In particular, the CPM is well suited to handle non-adiabatic molecular reaction dynamics on multiple potential energy surfaces, as encountered in the dynamics of a wide variety of molecular systems, including B + H2. Further motivation for investigating the specific dynamics of B + H2 stems from the potential application of solid molecular hydrogen, doped with boron atoms, as a high energy rocket propellant.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA361413

Entities

People

  • Thomas A. Niday

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Angular Momentum
  • Computational Science
  • Dynamics
  • Elements
  • Energy
  • First Principles Calculations
  • Inelastic Scattering
  • Orbital Angular Momentum
  • Potential Energy
  • Propellants
  • Quantum Numbers
  • Rocket Propellants
  • Scattering
  • Spin-Orbit Interaction
  • Total Angular Momentum
  • Wave Packets

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Spectroscopy.