Zuo J, Guo H. Time-independent quantum theory on vibrational inelastic scattering between atoms and open-shell diatomic molecules: Applications to NO + Ar and NO + H scattering.
J Chem Phys 2020;
153:144306. [PMID:
33086802 DOI:
10.1063/5.0026637]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A full-dimensional rigorous quantum mechanical treatment of non-reactive inelastic scattering of an open-shell diatom [e.g., NO(2Π)] with a structureless and spinless atom is presented within the time-independent close-coupling framework. The inclusion of the diatomic vibrational degree of freedom allows the investigation of transitions between different vibrational manifolds, in addition to those between different rotational, spin-orbit, and Λ-doublet states. This method is applied to the scattering of vibrationally excited NO(2Π) with Ar and H (with its spin ignored). The former has negligible vibrational inelasticity, thanks to the weak interaction between the two collisional partners. This conclusion justifies the commonly used two-dimensional approximation in treating NO scattering with rare gas atoms. The latter, on the other hand, is shown to undergo significant vibrational relaxation, even in the ultra-cold regime, owing to a chemically bonded (HNO) complex on the lowest-lying singlet potential energy surfaces.
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