THEORY OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL BARRIER CROSSING PROCESSES IN HIGHLY VISCOUS MEDIUM - REACTION-PATH SMOLUCHOWSKI EQUATION APPROACH

Abstract

We present a relaxation rate theory for diffusive barrier crossing processes occurring on multidimensional potential energy surface. The role of reaction path curvature and frictional anisotropy in determining the rate can be evaluated by using the present theory. It provides a relatively rigorous, but still computationally viable theoretical framework for treating many activated rate processes occurring in highly viscous media.