Rate Constants, Reactive Flux

This chapter discusses a direct approach to the calculation of the rate constant k(T) that bypasses the detailed state-to-state reaction cross-sections. The method is based on the calculation of the reactive flux across a dividing surface on the potential energy surface. Versions based on classical as well as quantum mechanics are described. The classical version and its relation to Wigner’s variational theorem and recrossings of the dividing surface is discussed. Neglecting recrossings, an approximate result based on the calculation of the classical one-way flux from reactants to products is considered. Recrossings can subsequently be included via a transmission coefficient. An alternative exact expression is formulated based on a canonical average of the flux time-correlation function. It concludes with the quantum mechanical definition of the flux operator and the derivation of a relation between the rate constant and a flux correlation function.