Semiclassical stochastic trajectory approach to molecule-solid surface scattering

Abstract

A semiclassical stochastic trajectory (SST) approach to the sudy of collision induced transitions in gas molecule-solid surface scattering is presented. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation provides the time-evolution of the transition amplitudes for the molecular internal states. Classical mechanics is used to describe the molecule's center of mass motion as well as the surface atoms' motion — the latter through the generalized Langevin equation (GLE) method which allows the treatment of non-rigid surfaces (i.e. surface temperature effects). These quantum and classical equations of motion are coupled through the use of a time-dependent interaction potential in the Schrödinger equation and the use of the expectation value of the interaction potential in the classical equations of motion. Advantages of the SST approach include: (1) flexibility in the choice of quantum versus classical coordinates; (c) strict energy conservation for non-dissipative system; and (3) realistic treatment of surface many-body effects within the GLE. The SST technique is applied to the study of vibrational and rotational inelasticity in a model H 2Pt(111) system. As an initial test, results obtained assuming a rigid, smooth surface with an exponentially repulsive potential are compared to exact quantal and quasi-classical trajectory values to determine the accuracy and utility of the SST approach. A limited practical application is presented for the same H 2Pt(111) system but for a non-rigid surface. These results, calculated at low gas kinetic energies, indicate that surface energy transfer and surface temperature effects should be minimal for this type of system, even though the energy gaps are quite similar for rotational and phonon degrees of freedom.