Ensembles of quantum trajectories are evolved to study time-dependent reaction dynamics in multidimensional systems with up to 25 vibrational modes. The equations of motion are formulated in curvilinear reaction path coordinates and all coupling terms are retained, including those involving curvature of the reaction path. The model potential is a Gaussian barrier along the translational coordinate coupled to M vibrational modes. Spatial derivatives needed to propagate the trajectories are evaluated by least squares fitting in a contracted basis set. Stable propagation of the trajectory ensembles was carried out until complete bifurcation into reflected and reactive subensembles. The reaction probabilities were evaluated by Monte Carlo integration of the multidimensional smooth transmitted densities. Computational results, including trajectory plots and time-dependent reaction probabilities, are presented for M = 1, 5, and 25 vibrational modes.
Ensembles of quantum trajectories are evolved to study time-dependent reaction dynamics in multidimensional systems with up to 25 vibrational modes. The equations of motion are formulated in curvilinear reaction path coordinates and all coupling terms are retained, including those involving curvature of the reaction path. The model potential is a Gaussian barrier along the translational coordinate coupled to M vibrational modes. Spatial derivatives needed to propagate the trajectories are evaluated by least squares fitting in a contracted basis set. Stable propagation of the trajectory ensembles was carried out until complete bifurcation into reflected and reactive subensembles. The reaction probabilities were evaluated by Monte Carlo integration of the multidimensional smooth transmitted densities. Computational results, including trajectory plots and time-dependent reaction probabilities, are presented for M = 1, 5, and 25 vibrational modes.
The quantum trajectory method (QTM) for time-dependent wave packet dynamics involves integration of the de Broglie–Bohm hydrodynamic equations for the evolving probability fluid [C. Lopreore and R. E. Wyatt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 5190 (1999)]. The equations of motion for discretized elements of the probability fluid (particles) are integrated in the Lagrangian, moving with the fluid, picture. These fluid elements move under the influence of both the usual potential energy function and the quantum potential, which involves the curvature of the quantum amplitude. The quantum potential and the quantum force are evaluated using a moving weighted least squares algorithm. As a demonstration of applicability, the QTM is applied to a model collinear reaction with an activation barrier. The reaction probabilities are in good agreement with exact quantum results, even for a relatively small number of particles in the ensemble. The QTM accurately describes tunneling using only real valued trajectories. In addition to the reaction probability, plots are presented to show the probability density and the flux distributions at several time steps during the reaction.
The quantum trajectory dynamics in imaginary time with the momentum-dependent quantum potential [ J. Chem. Phys. 2010, 132, 014112], which can be used for calculations of low-lying energy eigenstates or for Boltzmann evolution, is extended to many dimensions. Evolution of a nodeless initial wave function represented in exponential form is described in terms of a trajectory ensemble. In the Lagrangian frame of reference the trajectories evolve according to the classical equations of motion under the influence of the inverted classical potential and the quantum potential defined by the gradient of the trajectory momenta. The initial wave function is sampled by the trajectories randomly, which makes the approach scalable to high dimensions. Another practical feature is approximate computation of the quantum potential and force from the global least squares fit of the trajectory momenta in a small basis. The importance sampling and the Eulerian frame-of-reference formulation, compensating for divergent dynamics in bound potentials, are introduced to reduce the number of trajectories in multidimensional applications. The zero-point energies are computed for model and chemical (H 2 O and SO 2 ) systems.
In a previous publication [J. Chem. Phys. 118, 9911 (2003)], the derivative propagation method (DPM) was introduced as a novel numerical scheme for solving the quantum hydrodynamic equations of motion (QHEM) and computing the time evolution of quantum mechanical wave packets. These equations are a set of coupled, nonlinear partial differential equations governing the time evolution of the real-valued functions C and S in the complex action, S=C(r,t) + iS(r,t)/Planck's over 2pi, where Psi(r,t)=exp(S). Past numerical solutions to the QHEM were obtained via ensemble trajectory propagation, where the required first- and second-order spatial derivatives were evaluated using fitting techniques such as moving least squares. In the DPM, however, equations of motion are developed for the derivatives themselves, and a truncated set of these are integrated along quantum trajectories concurrently with the original QHEM equations for C and S. Using the DPM quantum effects can be included at various orders of approximation; no spatial fitting is involved; there is no basis set expansion; and single, uncoupled quantum trajectories can be propagated (in parallel) rather than in correlated ensembles. In this study, the DPM is extended from previous one-dimensional (1D) results to calculate transmission probabilities for 2D and 3D wave packet evolution on coupled Eckart barrier/harmonic oscillator surfaces. In the 2D problem, the DPM results are compared to standard numerical integration of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. Also in this study, the practicality of implementing the DPM for systems with many more degrees of freedom is discussed.
The quantum trajectory approach is generalized to arbitrary coordinate systems, including curvilinear coordinates. This allows one to perform an approximate quantum trajectory propagation, which scales favorably with system size, in the same framework as standard quantum wave packet dynamics. The trajectory formulation is implemented in Jacobi coordinates for a nonrotating triatomic molecule. Wave packet reaction probabilities are computed for the O(3P) + H2 --> OH + H reaction using the approximate quantum potential. The latter is defined by the nonclassical component of the momentum operator expanded in terms of linear and exponential functions. Unlike earlier implementations with linear functions, the introduction of the exponential function provides an accurate description of asymptotic dynamics for this system and gives good agreement of approximate reaction probabilities with accurate quantum calculations.
A new method is proposed for computing the time evolution of quantum mechanical wave packets. Equations of motion for the real-valued functions C and S in the complex action S=C(r,t)+iS(r,t)/ℏ, with ψ(r,t)=exp(S), involve gradients and curvatures of C and S. In previous implementations of the hydrodynamic formulation, various time-consuming fitting techniques of limited accuracy were used to evaluate these derivatives around each fluid element in an evolving ensemble. In this study, equations of motion are developed for the spatial derivatives themselves and a small set of these are integrated along quantum trajectories concurrently with the equations for C and S. Significantly, quantum effects can be included at various orders of approximation, no spatial fitting is involved, there are no basis set expansions, and single quantum trajectories (rather than correlated ensembles) may be propagated, one at a time. Excellent results are obtained when the derivative propagation method is applied to anharmonic potentials involving barrier transmission.
The de Broglie-Bohm hydrodynamic equations of motion are solved using a meshless method based on a moving least squares approach and an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian frame of reference. A regridding algorithm adds and deletes computational points as needed in order to maintain a uniform interparticle spacing, and unitary time evolution is obtained by propagating the wave packet using averaged fields. The numerical instabilities associated with the formation of nodes in the reflected portion of the wave packet are avoided by adding artificial viscosity to the equations of motion. The methodology is applied to a two-dimensional model collinear reaction with an activation barrier. Reaction probabilities are computed as a function of both time and energy, and are in excellent agreement with those based on the quantum trajectory method.