Signatures of classical bifurcations in the quantum scattering resonances of dissociating molecules

Abstract: A study is reported of the quantum scattering resonances of dissociating molecules using a semiclassical approach based on periodic-orbit theory. The dynamics takes place on a potential energy surface with an energy barrier separating two channels of dissociation. Above the barrier, the unstable symmetric-stretch periodic orbit may undergo a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation, leading to a classically chaotic regime. Signatures of the bifurcation appear in the spectrum of resonances, which have a shorter lifetime than classically expected. A method is proposed to evaluate semiclassically the energy and lifetime of the quantum resonances in this intermediate regime.