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Publication

Molecular square dancing in CO-CO collisions

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

Knowledge of rotational energy transfer (RET) involving carbon monoxide (CO) molecules is crucial for the interpretation of astrophysical data. As of now, our nearly perfect understanding of atom-molecule scattering shows that RET usually occurs by only a simple "bump" between partners. To advance molecular dynamics to the next step in complexity, we studied molecule-molecule scattering in great detail for collision between two CO molecules. Using advanced imaging methods and quasi-classical and fully quantum theory, we found that a synchronous movement can occur during CO-CO collisions, whereby a bump is followed by a move similar to a "do-si-do" in square dancing. This resulted in little angular deflection but high RET to both partners, a very unusual combination. The associated conditions suggest that this process can occur in other molecule-molecule systems.
Journal: Science
ISSN: 0036-8075
Issue: 6501
Volume: 369
Pages: 307 - +
Publication year:2020
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:10
CSS-citation score:1
Authors:International
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Open