Fragmentation of molecules by virtual photons from remote neighbors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that molecules can be dissociated by energy transfer from remote neighbors via virtual photons, even at distances lacking bonding, highlighting a novel non-local dissociation mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces a new mechanism for molecular dissociation through virtual photon transfer from distant excited atoms or molecules, expanding understanding of non-local energy transfer processes.

Findings

Energy transfer can cause dissociation at large distances.

Both electronic and vibrational energy transfer are possible.

Transfer efficiency can be high even without bonding.

Abstract

It is shown that a molecule can dissociate by the energy transferred from a remote neighbor. This neighbor can be an excited neutral or ionic atom or molecule. If it is an atom, the transferred energy is, of course, electronic and in the case of molecules it can also be vibrational. Explicit examples are given which demonstrate that the transfer can be highly efficient at distances where there is no bonding between the transmitter and the dissociating molecule.