THE QUANTITATIVE PREDICTION AND LIFETIME OF A PRONOUNCED REACTIVE SCATTERING RESONANCE

Accurate three-dimensional quantum mechanical calculations of the differential cross section, timedelay and collision lifetime of the H + D-2(upsilon, j) --> HD(upsilon', j') + D reaction show that the upsilon = j = 0 --> upsilon' = 0, j' = 4 and 5 transitions display pronounced resonances at a total energy of 1.50 eV if the effect of the geometric phase is introduced, but not otherwise. Inclusion of this effect in the neighborhood of this energy is essential. The resonance widths are of the order of 30 meV and their durations of 68 to 164 fs are long compared with the system's translational, vibrational or rotational times of about 10 fs. Experiments are proposed to verify these predictions.