Saddle-node states in the spectra of HCO and DCO: a periodic orbit classification of vibrational levels

The general structures of the vibrational states of HCO and its isotopomer DCO are analyzed in terms of periodic orbits (POs) and continuation/bifurca tion diagrams. Both bound and resonance states are considered. It is shown that the members of the pure overtones are guided by POs, even in the conti nuum. In particular, it is demonstrated that the highly anharmonic states l ocalized along the dissociation coordinate correspond to orbits originating from saddle-node bifurcations in the classical phase space. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.