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arXiv · 1407.8030

Quantum defect model of a reactive collision at finite temperature

Abstract

We consider a general problem of inelastic collision of particles interacting with power-law potentials. Using quantum defect theory we derive an analytical formula for the energy-dependent complex scattering length, valid for arbitrary collision energy, and use it to analyze the elastic and reactive collision rates. Our theory is applicable for both universal and non-universal collisions. The former corresponds to the unit reaction probability at short range, while in the latter case the reaction probability is smaller than one. In the high-energy limit we present a method that allows to incorporate quantum corrections to the classical reaction rate due to the shape resonances and the quantum tunneling.

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Krzysztof Jachymski, Michał Krych, Paul S. Julienne, Zbigniew Idziaszek. 2014-10-13. Quantum defect model of a reactive collision at finite temperature. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.90.042705

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