Including Memory Friction in Single- and Two-State Quantum Dynamics Simulations.

Abstract

We present a simple computational algorithm that allows for the inclusion of memory friction in a quantum dynamics simulation of a small, quantum, primary system coupled to many atoms in the surroundings. We show how including a memory friction operator, F̂, in the primary quantum system's Hamiltonian operator builds memory friction into the dynamics of the primary quantum system. We show that, in the harmonic, semi-classical limit, this friction operator causes the classical phase-space centers of a wavepacket to evolve exactly as if it were a classical particle experiencing memory friction. We also show that this friction operator can be used to include memory friction in the quantum dynamics of an anharmonic primary system. We then generalize the algorithm so that it can be used to treat a primary quantum system that is evolving, non-adiabatically on two coupled potential energy surfaces, i.e., a model that can be used to model H atom transfer, for example. We demonstrate this approach's computational ease and flexibility by showing numerical results for both harmonic and anharmonic primary quantum systems in the single surface case. Finally, we present numerical results for a model of non-adiabatic H atom transfer between a reactant and product state that includes memory friction on one or both of the non-adiabatic potential energy surfaces and uncover some interesting dynamical effects of non-memory friction on the H atom transfer process.