The H+H₂reactive system. Progress in the study of the dynamics of the simplest reaction

Abstract

Progress in the understanding of the H + H2 reaction and its isotopic variants is reviewed with special attention to the achievements of the last decade. The detailed agreement between theory and experiment attained during this period is emphasized and major experimental and theoretical advances are highlighted. The excellent description of most experimental findings, from state-resolved cross sections to thermal rate constants, provided by the available quantum mechanical treatments, as well as the good overall behaviour of classical mechanics are underlined. Debated issues on short-lived complexes and delayed scattering, resonances and interferences, or geometric phase effects are extensively discussed. Finally, the state-of-the-art is summarized and prospects for future research on this prototypic system are presented.