H_3^{++}$ molecular ion in a strong magnetic field: triangular configuration

Abstract

The existence of the molecular ion $H_3^{++}$ in a magnetic field in a triangular configuration is revised. Variational method with an optimization of the form of the vector potential (gauge fixing) is used. It is shown that in the range of magnetic fields $10^8 < B < 10^{11} G$ the system $(pppe)$, with protons forming an equilateral triangle perpendicular to magnetic line, has a well-pronounced minimum in the total energy. This configuration is unstable towards decays $H{-atom} + p + p$ and $H_2^+ + p$. Triangular configuration of $H_3^{++}$ complements $H_3^{++}$ in the linear configuration which exists for $B \gtrsim 10^{10} G$.