Symmetry properties in position and momentum space

Abstract

Atomic and molecular symmetry properties for the wave functions and electronic densities in position and momentum spaces are compared. A systematic study of the correspondance of point groups in both spaces is made and examples of experiments of (e, 2e) spectroscopy performed on atoms or molecules are compiled. Simple guidelines for interpreting electron distribution patterns are presented which enable one to sketch the nuclear geometry from the knowledge of momentum maps and Fourier transform effects