Molecular square dancing in CO-CO collisions

Science, vol. 369, pp. 307–309

Abstract

Knowledge of rotational energy transfer (RET) involving carbon monoxide (CO) molecules is crucial for the interpretation of astrophysical data. As of now, our nearly perfect understanding of atom-molecule scattering shows that RET usually occurs by only a simple "bump" between partners. To advance molecular dynamics to the next step in complexity, we studied molecule-molecule scattering in great detail for collision between two CO molecules. Using advanced imaging methods and quasi-classical and fully quantum theory, we found that a synchronous movement can occur during CO-CO collisions, whereby a bump is followed by a move similar to a "do-si-do" in square dancing. This resulted in little angular deflection but high RET to both partners, a very unusual combination. The associated conditions suggest that this process can occur in other molecule-molecule systems.

Authors 6

1. Zhongfa Sun

   Radboud University Nijmegen · Anhui Normal University

   Affiliation as printed

   Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Optoelectric Materials Science and Technology, Department of Physics, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China

   Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands

2. Marc C. van Hemert Aachen Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, Netherlands

3. Jérôme Loreau

   KU Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

4. Ad van der Avoird

   Radboud University Nijmegen

   Affiliation as printed

   Theoretical Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands

5. Arthur G. Suits

   University of Missouri

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

6. David H. Parker corresponding

   Radboud University Nijmegen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands