Molecular spectra, Fermi resonances, and classical motion

Eric J. Heller, Ellen B. Stechel, Michael J. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

163 Scopus citations

Abstract

Classically periodic molecular vibration (such as a totally symmetric stretch) can be unstable against the addition of small components of other modes, depending on anharmonic coupling strengths, near resonance of fundamental frequencies, and the total energy. We report here on some very strong correspondances between classical stability of the motion and quantum spectral features, wave functions, and energy transfer. The usual concept of a vibrational Fermi resonance turns out to apply best to the case where the transition to classical instability occurs at an energy below the first resonant quantum levels (this is the case for the famous Fermi resonance in CO 2). In the (probably more common) event that resonant classical instability should set in above several quanta of energy in the mode of interest, the quantum spectrum shows tell-tale pre- and post-resonant signatures which include attraction of quantum levels (rather than the usual Fermi repulsion) and other features not normally associated with Fermi resonances. Evidence is presented which suggests that certain types of periodic motion in anharmonic molecules act as "traps", and are resistant to energy exchange with other types of motion. Numerical evidence linking the classical and quantum behavior, together with a new semiclassical theory presented here provides a very explicit connection between quantum and classical anharmonic motion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4720-4735
Number of pages16
JournalThe Journal of chemical physics
Volume73
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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