The predissociation dynamics of ammonia: A theoretical study

Tamar Seideman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

A quantum mechanical model of the ammonia predissociation dynamics is presented. The effects of an excited state barrier and well, a deep conical intersection between the ground and excited states, and strong angular dependence of the potential energy surfaces are explored. The predissociation rate is sensitive to both the vibrational (v′2) and the rotational (J′,K′) level of the initially excited metastable state. The product state distribution following excitation within the v′2 = 0 band reflects the shape of the ground bend resonance and is broad, extending to the energetic limit. The photofragment angular distributions following excitation of magnetic-rovibronic state-selected parent molecules depend sensitively on the photon frequency. Their structure varies markedly with the internal state of the accompanying NH2 fragment. The results are traced to the complex excitation dynamics, which prepare a frequency-dependent superposition of rotational states, and to the strong forces exerted on the dissociating system in the region of the conical intersection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10556-10565
Number of pages10
JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics
Volume103
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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