Infrared predissociation of the Ar–HD van der Waals molecule

Abstract

The theory of photodissociation and predissociation processes is briefly discussed and the results of accurate quantum calculations for the infrared predissociation of the Ar–HD van der Waals molecule are presented. The absorption lineshapes for infrared radiation in the range 3866–3906 cm^–1 have been computed for transitions originating in all 11 bound states of the van der Waals complex. A selected few of these lineshapes are presented and discussed in detail. Every one of the 29 absorption processes in the frequency range studied leads to the eventual dissociation of the complex. The final quantum state distribution of the HD products has been computed for all the transitions. Comparisons are made between observed and computed linewidths for those cases where the former are available. Comparison is also made of the present theoretical results with those of other theories. The system provides an excellent testing ground for theories of photodissociation processes.