Huge quantum symmetry effect in the O + O<inf>2</inf> exchange reaction

Abstract

We report extensive, full quantum-mechanical calculations for the 16O + 16O16O → 16O16O + 16O collisions, for both inelastic and atom exchange processes, using a time-independent method based on hyperspherical coordinates. The rates obtained in the present study are much larger than the previously reported ones for this system. The discrepancy is attributed to a huge symmetry effect that was missing in the studies so far. This effect differs from the well-known isotope effect. Importance of this quantum effect is further confirmed by comparison with results for the 16O + 18O18O → 16O18O + 18O, exchange reaction.