We present an analytic model of thermal state-to-state rotationally inelastic collisions of polar molecules in electric fields. The model is based on the Fraunhofer scattering of matter waves and requires Legendre moments characterizing the "shape" of the target in the body-fixed frame as its input. The electric field orients the target in the space-fixed frame and thereby effects a striking alteration of the dynamical observables: both the phase and amplitude of the oscillations in the partial differential cross sections undergo characteristic field-dependent changes that transgress into the partial integral cross sections. As the cross sections can be evaluated for a field applied parallel or perpendicular to the relative velocity, the model also offers predictions about steric asymmetry. We exemplify the field-dependent quantum collision dynamics with the behavior of the Ne-OCS($^{1}Σ$) and Ar-NO($^2Π$) systems. A comparison with the close-coupling calculations available for the latter system [Chem. Phys. Lett. \textbf{313}, 491 (1999)] demonstrates the model's ability to qualitatively explain the field dependence of all the scattering features observed.
This paper deals with the treatment of quantum interferences in the semiclassical initial value theory of rotationally inelastic scattering in the interaction picture [C. W. McCurdy and W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 67, 463 (1977)]. It is shown that substituting the original phase index by a new one extends the range of applicability of the theory. The resulting predictions are in close agreement with exact quantum scattering results for a model of atom-rigid diatom collision involving strong interferences. The developments are performed within the framework of the planar rotor model, but they …
We examine rotational transitions of HCl in collisions with H$_2$ by carrying out quantum mechanical close-coupling and quasi-classical trajectory calculations on a recently developed globally accurate full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface for the H$_3$Cl system. Signatures of rainbow scattering in rotationally inelastic collisions are found in the state resolved integral and differential cross sections as functions of the impact parameter (initial orbital angular momentum) and final rotational quantum number. We show the coexistence of distinct dynamical regimes for the HCl rota…
Low energy reaction dynamics can strongly depend on the internal structure of the reactants. The role of rotationally inelastic processes in cold collisions involving polyatomic molecules has not been explored so far. Here we address this problem performing a merged-beam study of the He*+CHF$_3$ Penning ionization reaction in a range of collision energies $E/k_B$=0.5--120 K. The experimental cross sections are compared with total reaction cross sections calculated within the framework of the quantum defect theory. We find that the broad range of collision energies combined with the relatively …
We have studied the fundamental rotational relaxation and excitation collision of OH- J=0 <-> 1 with helium at different collision energies. Using state-selected photodetachment in a cryogenic ion trap, the collisional excitation of the first excited rotational state of OH- has been investigated and absolute inelastic collision rate coefficients have been extracted for collision temperatures between 20 and 35 K. The rates are compared with accurate quantum scattering calculations for three different potential energy surfaces. Good agreement is found within the experimental accuracy, but the ex…
Stereodynamics of cold collisions has become a fertile ground for quantized studies of molecular collisions and control of the collision outcome. A benchmark process for stereodynamic control is rotational transition in He+HD collisions. This process was recently probed experimentally by Perreault et al. by examining quenching from $j=2$ to $j'=0$ state in the $v=1$ vibrational manifold. Here, through explicit quantum scattering calculations on a highly accurate ab initio interaction potential for He+H$_2$, we reveal how a combination of two shape resonances arising from $l=1$ and $l=2$ partia…
Two different ab initio potential energy surfaces are employed to investigate the efficiency of the rotational excitation channels for the polar molecular ion HeH$^+$ interacting with He atoms. We further use them to investigate the quantum dynamics of both the proton-exchange reaction and the purely rotational inelastic collisions over a broad range of temperatures. In current modeling studies, this cation is considered to be one of the possible cooling sources under early universe conditions after the recombination era and has recently been found to exist in the Interstellar Medium. Results …
Quantum control of molecular collision dynamics is an exciting emerging area of cold collisions. Co-expansion of collision partners in a supersonic molecular beam combined with precise control of their quantum states and alignment/orientation using Stark-induced Adiabatic Raman Passage allows exquisite stereodynamic control of the collision outcome. This approach has recently been demonstrated for rotational quenching of HD in collisions with H2, D2, and He and D2 by He. Here we illustrate this approach for HD(v=0,j=2)+CO(v=0,j=0) -> HD(v'=0,j')+CO(v'=0,j') collisions through full-dimensional …
We present a theoretical study of rotationally elastic and inelastic collisions between molecular nitrogen ions and Rb atoms in the sub-Kelvin temperature regime prevalent in ion-atom hybrid trapping experiments. The cross sections for rotational excitation and de-excitation collisions were calculated using quantum-scattering methods on ab-initio potential energy surfaces for the energetically lowest singlet electronic channel of the system. We find that the rotationally inelastic collision rates are at least an order of magnitude smaller than the charge-exchange rates found in this system, re…
Inelastic low-energy (0--1 eV) collisions of electrons with HeH$^+$ cations are treated theoretically, with a focus on the rovibrational excitation and dissociative recombination (DR) channels. In an application of {\it ab initio} multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT), the description of both processes is based on the Born-Oppenheimer quantum defects. The quantum defects were determined using the R-matrix approach in two different frames of reference: the center-of-charge and the center-of-mass frames. The results obtained in the two reference systems, after implementing the Fano-Jungen st…
