Classical approach to collision complexes in ultracold chemical reactions

TL;DR

This paper develops a classical approach based on Wannier's threshold law to analyze collision complexes in ultracold chemical reactions, enabling calculations of their lifetimes beyond current quantum methods.

Contribution

It introduces a classical method for estimating collision complex lifetimes in ultracold reactions, bridging the gap where quantum calculations are computationally challenging.

Findings

Classical approach aligns with quantum predictions in exothermic ultracold reactions.

Simplified models can estimate collision complex lifetimes.

Preliminary results demonstrate feasibility for reduced-dimensional systems.

Abstract

Inspired by Wannier's threshold law, we recognize that collision complex decay meets the requirements of quantum-classical correspondence in sufficiently exothermic ultracold reactions. We make use of this correspondence to elucidate the classical foundations of ultracold reactions and to help bring calculations currently beyond the capabilities of quantum mechanics within reach. A classical method with a simplified model of many-body interactions is provided for determination of the collision complex lifetime and demonstrated for a reduced-dimensional system, as preliminary to the calculation of collision complex lifetimes in the full-dimensional system.