Conic intersections nuclear wave function

As mentioned in the introduction, the simplest way of approximately accounting for the geomehic or topological effects of a conical intersection incorporates a phase factor in the nuclear wave function. In this section, we shall consider some specific situations where this approach is used and furthermore give the vector potential that can be derived from the phase factor. 

The ordinary BO approximate equations failed to predict the proper symmetry allowed transitions in the quasi-JT model whereas the extended BO equation either by including a vector potential in the system Hamiltonian or by multiplying a phase factor onto the basis set can reproduce the so-called exact results obtained by the two-surface diabatic calculation. Thus, the calculated hansition probabilities in the quasi-JT model using the extended BO equations clearly demonshate the GP effect. The multiplication of a phase factor with the adiabatic nuclear wave function is an approximate treatment when the position of the conical intersection does not coincide with the origin of the coordinate axis, as shown by the results of [60]. Moreover, even if the total energy of the system is far below the conical intersection point, transition probabilities in the JT model clearly indicate the importance of the extended BO equation and its necessity. 

The phase-change nale, also known as the Ben phase [101], the geometric phase effect [102,103] or the molecular Aharonov-Bohm effect [104-106], was used by several authors to verify that two near-by surfaces actually cross, and are not repelled apart. This point is of particular relevance for states of the same symmetry. The total electronic wave function and the total nuclear wave function of both the upper and the lower states change their phases upon being bansported in a closed loop around a point of conical intersection. Any one of them may be used in the search for degeneracies. 

Similar to the case without consideration of the GP effect, the nuclear probability densities of Ai and A2 symmetries have threefold symmetry, while each component of E symmetry has twofold symmetry with respect to the line defined by (3 = 0. However, the nuclear probability density for the lowest E state has a higher symmetry, being cylindrical with an empty core. This is easyly understand since there is no potential barrier for pseudorotation in the upper sheet. Thus, the nuclear wave function can move freely all the way around the conical intersection. Note that the nuclear probability density vanishes at the conical intersection in the single-surface calculations as first noted by Mead [76] and generally proved by Varandas and Xu [77]. The nuclear probability density of the lowest state of Aj (A2) locates at regions where the lower sheet of the potential energy surface has A2 (Ai) symmetry in 5s. Note also that the Ai levels are raised up, and the A2 levels lowered down, while the order of the E levels has been altered by consideration of the GP effect. Such behavior is similar to that encountered for the trough states [11]. 

In this diabatic Schrodinger equation, the only terms that couple the nuclear wave functions Xd(R-/v) are the elements of the W RjJ and zd q%) matrices. The —(fi2/2p)W i(Rx) matrix does not have poles at conical intersection geometries [as opposed to W(2 ad(R>.) and furthermore it only appears as an additive term to the diabatic energy matrix cd(q>.) and does not increase the computational effort for the solution of Eq. (55). Since the neglected gradient term is expected to be small, it can be reintroduced as a first-order perturbation afterward, if desired. 

III. NUCLEAR WAVE FUNCTIONS AND THE GEOMETRIC PHASE EFFECT FOR CONICAL INTERSECTIONS... 

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