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Electron attachment and quantum coherence in molecular hydrogen

Prabhudesai, Vaibhav S., Mason, Nigel J., Krishnakumar, E. (2020) Electron attachment and quantum coherence in molecular hydrogen. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1412 . ISSN 1742-6588. (doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1412/5/052006) (KAR id:82021)

Abstract

Single electron attachment to a molecule may invoke quantum coherence in different angular momentum transfer channels. This has been observed in the 14 eV dissociative electron attachment resonance in molecular hydrogen where a coherent superposition of two negative ion resonant states of opposite parity is created, with the s and p partial waves of the electron contributing to the attachment process. Interference between the two partial wave contributions leads to a forward – backward asymmetry in the angular distribution of the product negative ions. Since these two resonant states dissociate to the same n = 2 state of H and H−, this asymmetry is further modified due to interference between the two paths of the dissociating molecular negative ion along different potential energy curves. This interference manifests as a function of the electron energy as well as isotopic composition. This case is akin to the quantum interference observed in photodissociation by one-photon vs two-photon absorption.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1088/1742-6596/1412/5/052006
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Matthias Werner
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2020 15:48 UTC
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2022 23:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/82021 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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