Multidimensional reactive scattering with quantum trajectories: dynamics with Morse vibrational modes

QUANTUM TRAJECTORY CALCULATIONS FOR BIPOLAR WAVEPACKET DYNAMICS IN ONE DIMENSION: SYNTHETIC SINGLE-WAVEPACKET PROPAGATION

In a previous paper [Park K, Poirier B, Parlant G, J Chem Phys129:194112, 2008], a synthetic quantum trajectory method (QTM) was successfully implemented for wave-packet dynamics in a one-dimensional (1D) symmetric Eckart barrier system, utilizing a "double-wavepacket" version of the bipolar decomposition, ψ = ψ+ + ψ- = (ψ1+ + ψ2+) + (ψ1- + ψ2-), to avoid a technical difficulty involving negligible initial ψ- density. In this paper, we develop a new synthetic algorithm which overcomes this difficulty directly, utilizing the original "single-wavepacket" version of the bipolar decomposition, ψ =ψ+ + ψ-, and also show that the initial propagation of ψ- is mainly governed by probability transfer from ψ+, rather than by the given initial conditions for ψ-. The new algorithm makes it possible to apply the synthetic bipolar QTM to asymptotically asymmetric as well as symmetric potential systems. Successful application results for both symmetric and asymmetric Eckart barrier systems in 1D are presented.

Analysis of Barrier Scattering with Real and Complex Quantum Trajectories

In this study, an analysis of the one-dimensional Eckart and Gaussian barrier scattering problems is undertaken using approximate quantum trajectories. Individual quantum trajectories are computed using the derivative propagation method (DPM). Both real-valued and complex-valued DPM quantum trajectories are employed. Of interest are the deep tunneling and the higher energy barrier scattering problems in cases in which the scattering barrier is "thick" by comparison to the width of the initial wave packet. For higher energy scattering problems, it is found that real-valued DPM trajectories very accurately reproduce the transmitted probability densities at low orders when compared to large fixed-grid calculations. However, higher orders must be introduced to obtain good probabilities for deep tunneling problems. Complex-valued DPM is found to accurately reproduce transmitted probability densities at low order for both the deep tunneling and the higher energy scattering problems. Of particular note, complex-classical trajectories are found to very nearly give the exact result for the deep barrier tunneling scattering problem, and the complex DPM converges well at high orders for these thick barrier scattering problems. A variety of analyses are performed to elucidate the dynamics of complex-valued DPM trajectories. The complex-extended barrier potentials are examined in detail, including an analysis of the complex force. Of particular interest are initial conditions for complex-valued DPM trajectories known as isochrones. All trajectories launched from an isochrone arrive on the real axis on the transmitted side of the barrier at the same time. The computation and properties of isochrones as well as the behavior of the initial wave packet in the complex plane are also examined.