Understanding nuclear motions in molecules: Derivation of Eckart frame ro-vibrational Hamiltonian operators via a gateway Hamiltonian operator

A new ro-vibrational Hamiltonian operator, named gateway Hamiltonian operator, with exact kinetic energy term, Tˆ, is presented. It is in the Eckart frame and it is of the same form as Watson's normal coordinate Hamiltonian. However, the vibrational coordinates employed are not normal coordinates. The new Hamiltonian is shown to provide easy access to Eckart frame ro-vibrational Hamiltonians with exact Tˆ given in terms of any desired set of vibrational coordinates. A general expression of the Eckart frame ro-vibrational Hamiltonian operator is given and some of its properties are discussed.