Topological study of the H₃⁺⁺ molecular system: H₃⁺⁺ as a cornerstone for building molecules during the Big Bang

Abstract

The present study is devoted to the possibility that tri-atomic molecules were formed during or shortly after the Big Bang. For this purpose, we consider the ordinary H₃⁺ and H₃ molecular systems and the primitive tri-atomic molecular system, H₃⁺⁺, which, as is shown, behaves differently. The study is carried out by comparing the topological features of these systems as they are reflected through their non-adiabatic coupling terms. Although H₃⁺⁺is not known to exist as a molecule, we found that it behaves as such at intermediate distances. However, this illusion breaks down as its asymptotic region is reached. Our study indicates that whereas H₃⁺ and H₃ dissociate smoothly, the H₃⁺⁺ does not seem to do so. Nevertheless, the fact that H₃⁺⁺ is capable of living as a molecule on borrowed time enables it to catch an electron and form a molecule via the reaction H₃⁺⁺ + e → H₃⁺ that may dissociate properly: H₃⁺ → H⁺ + H₂ H + H₂⁺ Thus, the two unique features acquired by H₃⁺⁺, namely, that it is the most primitive system formed by three protons and one electron and topologically, still remain for an instant a molecule, may make it the sole candidate for becoming the cornerstone for creating the molecules.