Ultracold D + H2 (v = 4, j = 0) reaction dynamics: long-range interactions, diagonal Born-Oppenheimer correction and a diabatic geometric phase treatment
Abstract
Ultracold hydrogen-exchange reactions have long provided a key platform for identifying subtle quantum mechanical effects in triatomic systems. The long-range interactions, diagonal Born-Oppenheimer correction (DBOC) and geometric phase (GP) have been predicted to influence such reactions, yet their individual effects have not been investigated. Here, we investigate the D + H2(v = 4, j = 0) → H + HD reaction using time-dependent wave packet calculations that incorporate a newly constructed long-range potential, DBOC and a diabatic GP treatment. Inclusion of the accurate long-range interaction substantially alters the cold reaction dynamics by removing spurious short-range barriers and strongly modifying partial-wave resonances, including a pronounced shift and nearly 70% enhancement of the J = 2 resonance. The DBOC produces a modest overall reduction in the reaction rate, whereas the GP introduces the dominant suppression and governs the interference pattern in both total and state-resolved rates. These results demonstrate that accurate inclusion of long-range interactions, DBOC, and GP is essential for reliably describing ultracold hydrogen-deuterium exchange reactions, and clarify the distinct roles each contribution plays in the reaction dynamics.
Publication details
- Journal / source
- AIP Publishing
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026