I I These Lecture Notes are intended as an introduction to the theoretical formulation and computational aspects of the molecular energy transfer processes which take place in an increasingly sophisticated range of molecular scattering experiments. They are directed to chemistry graduate students and emphasize the quantum mechanical approach, with little or no attention to classical and semi­ classical treatments or to formal presentations. Several Sections of the first Chapters are based on lectures given at the Graduate School of Physics of the University of Genoa a few years ago and I thank the students for their sense of duty in following to the end all those no­ tation-filled blackboards and transparencies. The kind patience of my wife Carolyn in reading the whole manuscript and improving its form is gratefully acknowledged. Franco A. Gianturco Bari, September 1978 CON TEN T S FOREWORD I NTRODUCTI ON Page 1. A RESUME OF QUANTUM MECHANICAL POTENTIAL SCATTERING 1. 1. General formulation of the problem Page 5 1. 2. Solutions of the radial equation 10 " 1. 3. The method of partial waves 13 1. 4. Some properties of 61. The Born approximation 18 1. 5. Properties of the S-matrix: bound states and resonances 23 1. 6. Classical and semiclassical scattering,a set of defi- tions 34 References 44 2. POTENTIAL ENERGY HYPERSURFACE CALCULATIONS FOR SIMPLE SYSTEMS 2. 1. Kinematic considerations 45 2. 2. General development of a priori method 52 2. 3. Some approximate treatments 68 2. 4.