arXiv · physics/9711003
Hydrogen molecule in a magnetic field: The lowest states of the Pi manifold and the global ground state of the parallel configuration
Abstract
The electronic structure of the hydrogen molecule in a magnetic field is investigated for parallel internuclear and magnetic field axes. The lowest states of the $Π$ manifold are studied for spin singlet and triplet$(M_s = -1) $ as well as gerade and ungerade parity for a broad range of field strengths $0 \leq B \leq 100 a.u.$ For both states with gerade parity we observe a monotonous decrease in the dissociation energy with increasing field strength up to $B = 0.1 a.u.$ and metastable states with respect to the dissociation into two H atoms occur for a certain range of field strengths. For both states with ungerade parity we observe a strong increase in the dissociation energy with increasing field strength above some critical field strength $B_c$. As a major result we determine the transition field strengths for the crossings among the lowest $^1Σ_g$, $^3Σ_u$ and $^3Π_u$ states. The global ground state for $B \lesssim 0.18 a.u.$ is the strongly bound $^1Σ_g$ state. The crossings of the $^1Σ_g$ with the $^3Σ_u$ and $^3Π_u$ state occur at $B \approx 0.18$ and $B \approx0.39 a.u.$, respectively. The transition between the $^3Σ_u$ and $^3Π_u$ state occurs at $B \approx 12.3 a.u.$ Therefore, the global ground state of the hydrogen molecule for the parallel configuration is the unbound $^3Σ_u$ state for $0.18 \lesssim B \lesssim 12.3 a.u.$ The ground state for $B \gtrsim 12.3 a.u.$ is the strongly bound $^3Π_u$ state. This result is of great relevance to the chemistry in the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs and neutron stars.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
T. Detmer, P. Schmelcher, L. S. Cederbaum. 1997-11-04. Hydrogen molecule in a magnetic field: The lowest states of the Pi manifold and the global ground state of the parallel configuration. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.57.1767
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.