A transition state view on reactive scattering: Initial state-selected reaction probabilities for the H+CH4→H2+CH3 reaction studied in full dimensionality

QuTree: A tree tensor network package

We present QuTree, a C++ library for tree tensor network approaches. QuTree provides class structures for tensors, tensor trees, and related linear algebra functions that facilitate the fast development of tree tensor network approaches such as the multilayer multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree approach or the density matrix renormalization group approach and its various extensions. We investigate the efficiency of relevant tensor and tensor network operations and show that the overhead for managing the network structure is negligible, even in cases with a million leaves and small tensors. QuTree focuses on providing simple, high-level routines while retaining easy access to the backend to facilitate novel developments. We demonstrate the capabilities of the package by computing the eigenstates of coupled harmonic oscillator Hamiltonians and performing random circuit simulations on a virtual quantum computer.

Vibrational control of the reaction pathway in the H + CHD3 → H2 + CD3 reaction

An accurate full-dimensional quantum state-to-state simulation of the six-atom title reaction based on first-principles theory is reported. Counterintuitive effects are found: Increasing the energy in the reactant's CD₃ umbrella vibration reduces the energy in the corresponding product vibration. An in-depth analysis reveals the crucial role of the effective dynamical transition state: Its geometry is controlled by the vibrational states of the reactants and subsequently controls the quantum state distribution of the products. This finding enables generalizing the concept of transition state control of chemical reactions to the quantum state-specific level.

Dissociative photodetachment of H3O2-: a full-dimensional quantum dynamics study

The transition state is a central concept of chemistry. Photoelectron-photofragment coincidence (PPC) spectroscopy has been proven as an attractive method to study the transition state dynamics. Within a state-of-the-art full-dimensional quantum mechanical model, the dissociative photodetachment dynamics of H₃O₂^- is investigated on accurate anion and neutral potential energy surfaces. The calculated PPC spectrum of H₃O₂^- agrees well with the experimental measurement. The dissociative product OH is exclusively populated on the ground vibrational state, implying the character of the spectator bond. In contrast, the product H₂O is predominantly populated in the ground and fundamental states of the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes, which is caused by the strong coupling between the antisymmetric motion of the transferred H atom in the transient intermediate [H₃O₂]* and both stretching modes of the product H₂O.

The symmetric C-D stretching spectator mode in the H + CHD3 → H2 + CD3 reaction and its effect on dynamical modeling

The symmetric C-D stretching mode is a spectator mode in the H + CHD3 → H2 + CD3 reaction. Effects of multiple vibrational excitations of the CHD3 reactant are studied with the quantum transition-state (QTS) framework and an eight-dimensional (8D) model Hamiltonian developed by Palma and Clary. By including many thermal flux eigenstates, results have been obtained up to high energies, allowing the study of the symmetric C-D stretching spectator mode. A new concept of a state-specific thermal flux operator is proposed to analyze the C-D stretching spectator mode in detail, providing a new and insightful venue for studying transition-state control of chemical reactions. Furthermore, as a spectator mode, whether the C-D stretching motion can be excluded in a seven-dimensional (7D) model has not been fully interrogated, although the 7D model is a reasonable approximation and has provided accurate theoretical predictions. By comparing with available results of full-dimensional calculations, both the 7D and 8D models predict reasonably accurate results. However, the 7D model underestimates the mixing of two vibrational states that are in Fermi resonance. Despite its spectator nature, the C-D stretch is important in the dynamical modeling of chemical reaction systems affected by state mixing.

Symmetries in the multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree wavefunction representation and propagation

In multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) approaches, different multi-layered wavefunction representations can be used to represent the same physical wavefunction. Transformations between different equivalent representations of a physical wavefunction that alter the tree structure used in the multi-layer MCTDH wavefunction representation interchange the role of single-particle functions (SPFs) and single-hole functions (SHFs) in the MCTDH formalism. While the physical wavefunction is invariant under these transformations, this invariance does not hold for the standard multi-layer MCTDH equations of motion. Introducing transformed SPFs, which obey normalization conditions typically associated with SHFs, revised equations of motion are derived. These equations do not show the singularities resulting from the inverse single-particle density matrix and are invariant under tree transformations. Based on the revised equations of motion, a new integration scheme is introduced. The scheme combines the advantages of the constant mean-field approach of Beck and Meyer [Z. Phys. D 42, 113 (1997)] and the singularity-free integrator suggested by Lubich [Appl. Math. Res. Express 2015, 311]. Numerical calculations studying the spin boson model in high dimensionality confirm the favorable properties of the new integration scheme.

Computational approaches to dissociative chemisorption on metals: towards chemical accuracy

We review the state-of-the-art in the theory of dissociative chemisorption (DC) of small gas phase molecules on metal surfaces, which is important to modeling heterogeneous catalysis for practical reasons, and for achieving an understanding of the wealth of experimental information that exists for this topic, for fundamental reasons. We first give a quick overview of the experimental state of the field. Turning to the theory, we address the challenge that barrier heights (E_b, which are not observables) for DC on metals cannot yet be calculated with chemical accuracy, although embedded correlated wave function theory and diffusion Monte-Carlo are moving in this direction. For benchmarking, at present chemically accurate E_b can only be derived from dynamics calculations based on a semi-empirically derived density functional (DF), by computing a sticking curve and demonstrating that it is shifted from the curve measured in a supersonic beam experiment by no more than 1 kcal mol^-1. The approach capable of delivering this accuracy is called the specific reaction parameter (SRP) approach to density functional theory (DFT). SRP-DFT relies on DFT and on dynamics calculations, which are most efficiently performed if a potential energy surface (PES) is available. We therefore present a brief review of the DFs that now exist, also considering their performance on databases for E_b for gas phase reactions and DC on metals, and for adsorption to metals. We also consider expressions for SRP-DFs and briefly discuss other electronic structure methods that have addressed the interaction of molecules with metal surfaces. An overview is presented of dynamical models, which make a distinction as to whether or not, and which dissipative channels are modeled, the dissipative channels being surface phonons and electronically non-adiabatic channels such as electron-hole pair excitation. We also discuss the dynamical methods that have been used, such as the quasi-classical trajectory method and quantum dynamical methods like the time-dependent wave packet method and the reaction path Hamiltonian method. Limits on the accuracy of these methods are discussed for DC of diatomic and polyatomic molecules on metal surfaces, paying particular attention to reduced dimensionality approximations that still have to be invoked in wave packet calculations on polyatomic molecules like CH₄. We also address the accuracy of fitting methods, such as recent machine learning methods (like neural network methods) and the corrugation reducing procedure. In discussing the calculation of observables we emphasize the importance of modeling the properties of the supersonic beams in simulating the sticking probability curves measured in the associated experiments. We show that chemically accurate barrier heights have now been extracted for DC in 11 molecule-metal surface systems, some of which form the most accurate core of the only existing database of E_b for DC reactions on metal surfaces (SBH10). The SRP-DFs (or candidate SRP-DFs) that have been derived show transferability in many cases, i.e., they have been shown also to yield chemically accurate E_b for chemically related systems. This can in principle be exploited in simulating rates of catalyzed reactions on nano-particles containing facets and edges, as SRP-DFs may be transferable among systems in which a molecule dissociates on low index and stepped surfaces of the same metal. In many instances SRP-DFs have allowed important conclusions regarding the mechanisms underlying observed experimental trends. An important recent observation is that SRP-DFT based on semi-local exchange DFs has so far only been successful for systems for which the difference of the metal work function and the molecule's electron affinity exceeds 7 eV. A main challenge to SRP-DFT is to extend its applicability to the other systems, which involve a range of important DC reactions of e.g. O₂, H₂O, NH₃, CO₂, and CH₃OH. Recent calculations employing a PES based on a screened hybrid exchange functional suggest that the road to success may be based on using exchange functionals of this category.

Time-dependent quantum mechanical wave packet dynamics

Starting from a model study of the collinear (H, H₂) exchange reaction in 1959, the time-dependent quantum mechanical wave packet (TDQMWP) method has come a long way in dealing with systems as large as Cl + CH₄. The fast Fourier transform method for evaluating the second order spatial derivative of the wave function and split-operator method or Chebyshev polynomial expansion for determining the time evolution of the wave function for the system have made the approach highly accurate from a practical point of view. The TDQMWP methodology has been able to predict state-to-state differential and integral reaction cross sections accurately, in agreement with available experimental results for three dimensional (H, H₂) collisions, and identify reactive scattering resonances too. It has become a practical computational tool in predicting the observables for many A + BC exchange reactions in three dimensions and a number of larger systems. It is equally amenable to determining the bound and quasi-bound states for a variety of molecular systems. Just as it is able to deal with dissociative processes (without involving basis set expansion), it is able to deal with multi-mode nonadiabatic dynamics in multiple electronic states with equal ease. We present an overview of the method and its strength and limitations, citing examples largely from our own research groups.

A general formulation of the quasiclassical trajectory method for reduced-dimensionality reaction dynamics calculations

Dimension reduction by freezing the unimportant coordinates is widely used in intramolecular and reaction dynamics calculations when the solution of the accurate full-dimensional nuclear Schrödinger equation is not feasible. In this paper we report on a novel form of the exact classical internal-coordinate Hamiltonian for full and reduced-dimensional vibrational motion of polyatomic molecules with the purpose of using it in quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations. The derivation is based on the internal to body-fixed frame transformation, as in the t-vector formalism, however it does not require the introduction of rotational variables to allow cancellation of non-physical rotations within the body-fixed frame. The formulas needed for QCT calculations: normal mode analysis and state sampling as well as for following the dynamics and normal-mode quantum number assignment at instantaneous states are presented. The procedure is demonstrated on the CH4, CD4, CH3D and CHD3 isotopologs of methane using three reduced-dimensional models, which were previously used in quantum reactive scattering studies of the CH4 + X → CH3 + HX type reactions. The reduced-dimensional QCT methodology formulated this way combined with full-dimensional QCT calculations makes possible the classical validation of reduced-dimensional models that are used in the quantum mechanical description of the nuclear dynamics in reactive systems [A. Vikár et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2016, 120, 5083-5093].

Natural reaction channels in H + CHD3 → H2 + CD3

Natural reaction channels control the mode-specific chemistry of methane and its isotopomeres.

Wavepacket dynamics and the multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree approach

Multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) based approaches are efficient, accurate, and versatile methods for high-dimensional quantum dynamics simulations. Applications range from detailed investigations of polyatomic reaction processes in the gas phase to high-dimensional simulations studying the dynamics of condensed phase systems described by typical solid state physics model Hamiltonians. The present article presents an overview of the different areas of application and provides a comprehensive review of the underlying theory. The concepts and guiding ideas underlying the MCTDH approach and its multi-mode and multi-layer extensions are discussed in detail. The general structure of the equations of motion is highlighted. The representation of the Hamiltonian and the correlated discrete variable representation (CDVR), which provides an efficient multi-dimensional quadrature in MCTDH calculations, are discussed. Methods which facilitate the calculation of eigenstates, the evaluation of correlation functions, and the efficient representation of thermal ensembles in MCTDH calculations are described. Different schemes for the treatment of indistinguishable particles in MCTDH calculations and recent developments towards a unified multi-layer MCTDH theory for systems including bosons and fermions are discussed.

Recent advances in quantum scattering calculations on polyatomic bimolecular reactions

This review surveys quantum scattering calculations on chemical reactions of polyatomic molecules in the gas phase published in the last ten years.

Testing the Palma-Clary Reduced Dimensionality Model Using Classical Mechanics on the CH4 + H → CH3 + H2 Reaction

Application of exact quantum scattering methods in theoretical reaction dynamics of bimolecular reactions is limited by the complexity of the equations of nuclear motion to be solved. Simplification is often achieved by reducing the number of degrees of freedom to be explicitly handled by freezing the less important spectator modes. The reaction cross sections obtained in reduced-dimensionality (RD) quantum scattering methods can be used in the calculation of rate coefficients, but their physical meaning is limited. The accurate test of the performance of a reduced-dimensionality method would be a comparison of the RD cross sections with those obtained in accurate full-dimensional (FD) calculations, which is not feasible because of the lack of complete full-dimensional results. However, classical mechanics allows one to perform reaction dynamics calculations using both the RD and the FD model. In this paper, an RD versus FD comparison is made for the 8-dimensional Palma-Clary model on the example of four isotopologs of the CH4 + H → CH3 + H2 reaction, which has 12 internal dimensions. In the Palma-Clary model, the only restriction is that the methyl group is confined to maintain C3v symmetry. Both RD and FD opacity and excitation functions as well as differential cross sections were calculated using the quasiclassical trajectory method. The initial reactant separation has been handled according to our one-period averaging method [ Nagy et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2016, 144, 014104 ]. The RD and FD excitation functions were found to be close to each other for some isotopologs, but in general, the RD reactivity parameters are lower than the FD reactivity parameters beyond statistical error, and for one of the isotopologs, the deviation is significant. This indicates that the goodness of RD cross sections cannot be taken for granted.

Control of chemical reactivity by transition-state and beyond

It has been long established that the transition state for an activated reaction controls the overall reactivity, serving as the bottleneck for reaction flux. However, the role of the transition state in regulating quantum state resolved reactivity has only been addressed more recently, thanks to advances in both experimental and theoretical techniques. In this perspective, we discuss some recent advances in understanding mode-specific reaction dynamics in bimolecular reactions, mainly focusing on the X + H2O/CH4 (X = H, F, Cl, and O(3P)) systems, extensively studied in our groups. These advances shed valuable light on the importance of the transition state in mode-specific and steric dynamics of these prototypical reactions. It is shown that many mode-specific phenomena can be understood in terms of a transition-state based model, which assumes in the sudden limit that the ability of a reactant mode for promoting the reaction stems from its coupling with the reaction coordinate at the transition state. Yet, in some cases the long-range anisotropic interactions in the entrance (or exit) valley, which govern how the trajectories reach (or leave) the transition state, also come into play, thus modifying the reactive outcomes.

Quantum and classical dynamics of reactive scattering of H2 from metal surfaces

State-of-the-art theoretical models allow nowadays an accurate description of H₂/metal surface systems and phenomena relative to heterogeneous catalysis. Here we review the most relevant ones investigated during the last 10 years.

Toward a Database of Chemically Accurate Barrier Heights for Reactions of Molecules with Metal Surfaces

Being able to calculate reaction barrier heights to within chemical accuracy (errors < 1 kcal/mol) is crucial to the accurate modeling of chemical reactions. Although accurate databases exist that can help theorists with benchmarking new electronic structure theories on gas-phase chemical reactions, no such databases exist for reactions of molecules with metal surfaces. Nonetheless, most chemicals are made in heterogeneously catalyzed processes, of which many take place over metal particles. Presently, barrier heights for molecule-metal surface reactions have been determined with chemical accuracy for only two systems, that is, H2 + Cu(111) and H2 + Cu(100). This has been done with semiempirically determined density functionals, which were fitted through comparisons of dynamics results with molecular beam sticking probabilities. The prospects of extending the database with chemically accurate data for other molecule-metal reactions, either with the use of semiempirical density functional theory or with first-principles theory, are discussed.

Loss of Memory in H + CH4 → H2 + CH3 State-to-State Reactive Scattering

State-to-state reaction probabilities for the H + CH4→ H2 + CH3 reaction are calculated by accurate full-dimensional quantum dynamics calculations employing the multilayer multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree approach and the quantum transition-state concept. Reactions starting from different vibrational and rotational states of the methane reactant are investigated for vanishing total angular momentum. The vibrational state distributions of the products are found to be essentially independent of the initial rovibrational state of the reactants. The reaction products only show vibrational excitation in the methyl umbrella mode. No excitation in H2 vibration or another CH3 vibration is observed. Analyzing the results, the observed loss of vibrational memory can be explained by a transition-state-based view of the reaction process.