Study of electron solvation in liquid ammonia using quantum path integral Monte Carlo calculations

Abstract

The solvation of an electron in liquid ammonia has been studied using quantum path integral Monte Carlo calculations. In agreement with previous experimental and theoretical deductions the charge distribution of the electron is compact. Various distribution functions characterizing the structure around the solvated electron are presented and the surrounding solvent structure is compared to that around a classical atomic anion. A qualitative discussion is given of the absorption spectrum based upon the form of the complex time dependence of the electron mean squared displacement correlation function.