Quantum effects in large molecule collisional energy transfer?

Abstract

Recently, Gilbert and Zare proposed that dynamical quantum effects might explain the poor performance of classical trajectory calculations in simulating the vibrational deactivation of excited azulene by the lighter noble gases. They proposed an experimental test: a comparison of 3He and 4He deactivation of azulene. In this Letter, the collisional deactivation of benzene, toluene and toluene-d8 by 3He and 4He has been investigated by infrared fluorescence to assess the importance of dynamical quantum effects. The results show that the proposed dynamical quantum effect is not important for these systems over the range of vibrational energies from [approximate]8000 to [approximate]35000 cm-1.