State-selected predissociation of H$_3$

Experimental studies of the predissociation of well-defined Rydberg states of H$_3$ have produced a complex three-body fragmentation pattern that is highly dependent on the initial state and show dramatic isotope effects. We present results of theoretical investigations for the fragmentation of selected Rydberg states of H$_3$ into three ground state hydrogen atoms as well as two-body predissociation into H + H$_2^+$(v,j). The non-adiabatic couplings and the surfaces are taken from previous studies. The dynamics are carried out using a wave packet propagation method in full-dimensionality including the effects of the Jahn-Teller interaction. Work supported by the NSF PHY-02-44911