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Roaming: A Phase Space Perspective
Frédéric A L Mauguière1, Peter Collins1, Zeb C Kramer2
1School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom; email: frederic.mauguiere@bristol.ac.uk , peter.collins@bristol.ac.uk , stephen.wiggins@mac.com.
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|April 5, 2017
Summary
Roaming in chemical reactions is better understood using nonlinear dynamical systems in phase space. This approach clarifies fundamental reaction dynamics and trajectory behavior, offering new insights into reaction mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Dynamics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- The roaming mechanism in chemical reactions presents challenges to fundamental understanding.
- Key questions involve the statistical nature of dynamics, applicability of transition state theory, and the role of potential energy surface features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roaming mechanism for chemical reactions using a nonlinear dynamical systems perspective.
- To frame and answer fundamental questions about roaming dynamics within phase space.
- To illustrate the phase-space approach with the photodissociation of formaldehyde.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chemical reactions as nonlinear dynamical systems in phase space.
- Examination of roaming trajectories and their relationship to potential energy surfaces.
- Application of phase-space formulation to describe reactive events.
Main Results:
- The phase space perspective provides a framework for addressing fundamental questions about roaming.
- Roaming trajectories can be distinguished from other reactive events using phase space.
- The mechanism governing which trajectories roam is uncovered through phase space analysis.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear dynamical systems in phase space offer a powerful tool for understanding chemical reaction dynamics.
- The phase-space formulation provides an unambiguous description of reactive events, including roaming.
- This approach is crucial for advancing the fundamental understanding of basic reaction dynamics.