Classical versus quantum structures: the case of pyramidal molecules

Abstract

In a previous paper we proposed a model to describe a gas of pyramidal molecules interacting via dipole-dipole interactions. The interaction modifies the tunneling properties between the classical equilibrium configurations of the single molecule and, for sufficiently high pressure, the molecules become localized in these classical configurations. The model explains quantitatively the shift to zero-frequency of the inversion line observed upon increase of the pressure in a gas of ammonia or deuterated ammonia. Here we analyze further the model especially with respect to stability questions.