Angular momentum quantum monodromy

The second type of quantum monodromy occurs in the computed bending-vibrational bands of LiCN/LiNC, in which the role of the isolated critical point is replaced by that of a finite folded region of the spectrum, where the vibrational states of the secondary isomer LiNC interpenetrate those of LiCN [9, 10]. The folded region is finite in this case, because the secondary minimum on the potential surface merges with the transition state as the angular momentum increases. However, the shape of the potential energy surface in HCN prevents any such angular momentum cut-off, so monodromy is forbidden [10]. 

The case of water is particularly convenient because the required high Ka states may be detected in the solar absorption spectrum. However, it is difficult to observe the necessary high vibrational angular momentum states in molecules, which can only be probed by dispersed fluorescence or stimulated emission techniques. On the other hand, it is now possible to perform converged variational calculations on accurate potential energy surfaces, from which one could hope to verify the quantum monodromy and assess the extent to which it is disturbed by perturbations with other modes. Examples of such computed monodromy are seen for H2O in Fig. 2 and LiCN in Fig. 12. 

---