Quantum states, energy

Quantum states, energy levels and wave functions... 

QUANTUM STATES, ENERGY LEVELS AND WAVE FUNOIONS... 

This crude calculation mimics what we do when we solve the Schrodinger equation we start with a potential energy function and use it to derive the quantum state energies and wavefunctions. That general approach is a standard technique in theoretical studies of molecules. Experiments usually tackle the issue in the opposite direction, using the vibrational energies (which can be measured directly by spectroscopy) to determine the shape of the potential energy curve. This interplay was outlined in Fig. 2.3. 

Direct investigations of endoergic processes " confirm the conclusions derived from the application of microscopic reversibility that is, for the usual late barriers, reactant vibrational excitation is selective in promoting reaction. However, equations (1.24) to (1.25) do not accurately relate the detailed rate constants obtained from QCL trajectory calculations performed on the same system in both directions. This is only to be expected the system is confined to quantum-state energies only right at the start of a trajectory. A product-state distribution is only derived by slicing up the continuous distribution obtained from the calculations. 

In an electron spin resonance spectrometer, transitions between the two states are brought about by the application of the quantum of energy hv which is equal to g H. The resonance condition is defined when hv = g H and this is achieved experimentally by varying H keeping the frequency (v) constant. Esr spectroscopy is used extensively in chemistry in the identification and elucidation of structures of radicals. 

Applications of quantum mechanics to chemistry invariably deal with systems (atoms and molecules) that contain more than one particle. Apart from the hydrogen atom, the stationary-state energies caimot be calculated exactly, and compromises must be made in order to estimate them. Perhaps the most useful and widely used approximation in chemistry is the independent-particle approximation, which can take several fomis. Conuiion to all of these is the assumption that the Hamiltonian operator for a system consisting of n particles is approximated by tlie sum... 

Figure Al.2.7. Trajectory of two coupled stretches, obtained by integrating Hamilton s equations for motion on a PES for the two modes. The system has stable anhamionic synmretric and antisyimnetric stretch modes, like those illustrated in figrne Al.2.6. In this trajectory, semiclassically there is one quantum of energy in each mode, so the trajectory corresponds to a combination state with quantum numbers nj = [1, 1]. The woven pattern shows that the trajectory is regular rather than chaotic, corresponding to motion in phase space on an invariant torus.

Many phenomena in solid-state physics can be understood by resort to energy band calculations. Conductivity trends, photoemission spectra, and optical properties can all be understood by examining the quantum states or energy bands of solids. In addition, electronic structure methods can be used to extract a wide variety of properties such as structural energies, mechanical properties and thennodynamic properties. 

The microcanonical ensemble is a set of systems each having the same number of molecules N, the same volume V and the same energy U. In such an ensemble of isolated systems, any allowed quantum state is equally probable. In classical thennodynamics at equilibrium at constant n (or equivalently, N), V, and U, it is the entropy S that is a maximum. For the microcanonical ensemble, the entropy is directly related to the number of allowed quantum states C1(N,V,U) ... 

In principle, the reaction cross section not only depends on the relative translational energy, but also on individual reactant and product quantum states. Its sole dependence on E in the simplified effective expression (equation (A3.4.82)) already implies unspecified averages over reactant states and sums over product states. For practical purposes it is therefore appropriate to consider simplified models for tire energy dependence of the effective reaction cross section. They often fonn the basis for the interpretation of the temperature dependence of thennal cross sections. Figure A3.4.5 illustrates several cross section models. 

Figure A3.9.9. Dissociation probability versus incident energy for D2 molecules incident on a Cu(l 11) surface for the initial quantum states indicated (u indicates the mitial vibrational state and J the initial rotational state) [100], For clarity, the saturation values have been scaled to the same value irrespective of the initial state, although in reality die saturation value is higher for the u = 1 state.

Rettner C T, Micheisen H A and Auerbach D J 1993 From quantum-state-specific dynamics to reaction-rates-the dominant roie of transiationai energy in promoting the dissociation of D2on Cu(111) under equiiibrium conditions Faraday D/scuss. 96 17... 

Figure A3,12.2(a) illnstrates the lifetime distribution of RRKM theory and shows random transitions among all states at some energy high enongh for eventual reaction (toward the right). In reality, transitions between quantum states (though coupled) are not equally probable some are more likely than others. Therefore, transitions between states mnst be snfficiently rapid and disorderly for the RRKM assumption to be mimicked, as qualitatively depicted in figure A3.12.2(b). The situation depicted in these figures, where a microcanonical ensemble exists at t = 0 and rapid IVR maintains its existence during the decomposition, is called intrinsic RRKM behaviour [9].

RRKM theory allows some modes to be uncoupled and not exchange energy with the remaining modes [16]. In quantum RRKM theory, these uncoupled modes are not active, but are adiabatic and stay in fixed quantum states n during the reaction. For this situation, equation (A3.12.15) becomes... 

Detailed analyses of the above experiments suggest that the apparent steps in k E) may not arise from quantized transition state energy levels [110.111]. Transition state models used to interpret the ketene and acetaldehyde dissociation experiments are not consistent with the results of high-level ab initio calculations [110.111]. The steps observed for NO2 dissociation may originate from the opening of electronically excited dissociation chaimels [107.108]. It is also of interest that RRKM-like steps in k E) are not found from detailed quantum dynamical calculations of unimolecular dissociation [91.101.102.112]. More studies are needed of unimolecular reactions near tln-eshold to detennine whether tiiere are actual quantized transition states and steps in k E) and, if not, what is the origin of the apparent steps in the above measurements of k E). 

In the case of polarized, but otherwise incoherent statistical radiation, one finds a rate constant for radiative energy transfer between initial molecular quantum states i and final states f... 

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