Semiclassical theory of Fermi resonance between stretching and bending modes in polyatomic molecules

Approximate semiclassical solutions are developed for a system of a Morse oscillator coupled to a harmonic oscillator via a nonlinear perturbation. This system serves as a model for the interaction of an excited stretching mode with a bending mode in a polyatomic molecule. Three semiclassical methods are used to treat this model. In particular, a matrix diagonalization, a two‐state model, and a uniform semiclassical approximation (USC) based on Mathieu functions are each used to determine the splittings and state mixing involved in these stretch–bend Fermi resonances. For small perturbations, approximate analytic semiclassical expressions are obtained for the system treated. These analytic expressions are given for the splittings using a two‐state or USC method and for the overlaps of the zeroth order states with the eigenstates of the molecule using a USC method

The highly excited C-H stretching states of CHD_3, CHT_3, and CH_3D

Unlike many other molecules having local modes, the highly excited C-H stretching states of CHD_3 show well resolved experimental spectra and simple Fermi resonance behavior. In this paper the local mode features in this prototype molecule are examined using a curvilinear coordinate approach. Theory and experiment are used to identify the vibrational state coupling. Both kinetic and potential terms are employed in order to characterize the coupling of the C-H stretch to various other vibrational modes, notably those including D-C-H bending. Predictions are also made for CHT_3 and the role of dynamical coupling on the vibrational states of CH_3D explored. Implications of these findings for mode-specific and other couplings are discussed