Double continuum fragmentation in the vibrational predissociation X⋅⋅⋅BC(v)⋅⋅⋅Y→BC(v′<v)+X+Y of van der Waals complexes: A perturbative treatment

Abstract

We present an approximate quantal model to study the double continuum problem arising in the complete fragmentation of X⋅⋅⋅BC(v)⋅⋅⋅Y van der Waals(vdW) complexes, where BC is a conventional diatomic molecule vibrationally excited and X and Y are rare gas atoms, through vibrational predissociation (VP). Assuming a near equilibrium geometry of the complex and using an adiabatic approximation for describing the oscillation in the angle formed by the BC⋅⋅⋅X and BC⋅⋅⋅Y weak bonds, the rates for complete fragmentation are expressed in the frame of Fermi’s ‘‘Golden Rule’’. Double continuum wave functions may be obtained by a perturbative treatment that allows one to take properly into account the symmetry of the problem in the particular and very frequent case X≡Y.