Resonant coupling of free quantum rotors in inclusion compounds

NH3 groups in certain Hofmann clathrates form almost free one-dimensional quantum rotors with energy levels E(n) = n(2)B and angular momentum n (planck constant), where n = 0, +/-1, +/-2,.... Recent neutron scattering experiments revealed a surprising temperature dependence for the linewidths of the n = 0 <--> 1, 0 <--> 2, and 1 <--> 2 transitions. We propose a novel line broadening mechanism based on rotor-rotor coupling and obtain a simple analytic expression for the widths that depends on the rotor level occupation and on the 3-proton spin degeneracies of initial and final states. Our model provides, without adjustable parameters, a good fit both to the temperature dependence of the observed widths and to their relative magnitude.