Deterministic escape of a dimer over an anharmonic potential barrier

In the present paper we consider the deterministic escape dynamics of a dimer from a metastable state over an anharmonic potential barrier. The underlying dynamics is conservative and noiseless and thus, the allocated energy has to suffice for barrier crossing. The two particles comprising the dimer are coupled through a spring. Their motion takes place in a two-dimensional plane. Each of the two constituents for itself is unable to escape, but as the outcome of strongly chaotic coupled dynamics the two particles exchange energy in such a way that eventually exit from the domain of attraction may be promoted. We calculate the corresponding critical dimer configuration as the transition state and its associated activation energy vital for barrier crossing. It is found that there exists a bounded region in the parameter space where a fast escape entailed by chaotic dynamics is observed. Interestingly, outside this region the system can show Fermi resonance which, however turns out to impede fast escape.