Symmetry and the Geometric Phase in Ultracold Hydrogen-Exchange Reactions

Quantum reactive scattering calculations are reported for the ultracold hydrogen-exchange reaction and its non-reactive atom-exchange isotopic counterparts, proceeding from excited rotational states. It is shown that while the geometric phase (GP) does not necessarily control the reaction to all final states one can always find final states where it does. For the isotopic counterpart reactions these states can be used to make a measurement of the GP effect by separately measuring the even and odd symmetry contributions, which experimentally requires nuclear-spin final-state resolution. This follows from symmetry considerations that make the even and odd identical-particle exchange symmetry wavefunctions which include the GP locally equivalent to the opposite symmetry wavefunctions which do not. This equivalence reflects the important role discrete symmetries play in ultracold chemistry generally and highlights the key role ultracold reactions can play in understanding fundamental aspects of chemical reactivity.