The bifurcations of the critical points and the role of the depth in a symmetric Caldera potential energy surface

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the depth of a symmetric Caldera potential energy surface influences the bifurcations of critical points and the resulting trajectory behaviors, including dynamical matching phenomena.

Contribution

It analyzes the role of potential depth in bifurcation behavior and trajectory dynamics, highlighting transitions between different Caldera surface types.

Findings

Identification of two trajectory behaviors: dynamical matching and its absence.

Demonstration of how potential depth affects bifurcation and trajectory exit patterns.

Description of transition mechanisms between different Caldera surface types.

Abstract

In this work, we continue the study of the bifurcations of the critical points in a symmetric Caldera potential energy surface. In particular, we study the influence of the depth of the potential on the trajectory behavior before and after the bifurcations of the critical points. We observe two different types of trajectory behavior: dynamical matching and the non-existence of dynamical matching. Dynamical matching is a phenomenon that limits the way in which a trajectory can exit the Caldera based solely on how it enters the Caldera. Furthermore, we discuss two different types of symmetric Caldera potential energy surface and the transition from the one type to the other through the bifurcations of the critical points.