Abstract
This study spotlights the statistical adiabatic channel model as an efficient and accurate method for deriving low-temperature (de)-excitation rate coefficients for collisions induced by heavy projectiles. For such systems, fully quantum treatments become intractable, while quasi-classical methods fail at low temperature. Here, we demonstrate that the statistical adiabatic channel model overcomes these limitations by combining statistical sampling with an adiabatic channel representation. Its application to the HCN and HNC isomers colliding with CO yields rate coefficients in quantitative agreement with full quantum results benchmarked for the lowest total angular momentum. These systems are relevant for modeling cometary comae, where reliable molecular data remain scarce. Remarkably, this approach also reproduces near-resonant energy transfer and isomeric effects, demonstrating that essential quantum and structural features can be captured within a statistical framework.
Recommended Citation
F. Tonolo et al., "Quantum and Structural Effects Captured via a Statistical Method: The SACM Applied to HCN and HNC Colliding with CO," Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 164, no. 20, article no. 201101, American Institute of Physics, May 2026.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0336688
Department(s)
Chemistry
Publication Status
Available Access
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1089-7690; 0021-9606
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 American Institute of Physics, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
28 May 2026
PubMed ID
42170861
