Event Information

Marlan O. Scully (Texas A&M University)
Bohr Model and Dimensional Scaling Analysis of the H2 Molecule
Abstract:
It is generally believed that the old quantum theory, as presented by Niels Bohr in 1913, fails when applied to few electron systems, such as the H2 molecule. Here we find a new solution within the Bohr theory that describes the potential energy curves for the lowest singlet and triplet states of H2 as well as the early wave mechanical treatment of Heitler and London. We also develop a new dimensional scaling transformation of the Schrodinger equation that yields the Bohr model in the limit of infinite dimension D. The first-order correction in 1/D substantially improves the agreement with the exact ground state potential energy curve.

Host: David Beratan

Tuesday, September 21, 2004, 11:40am
Departmental Seminar