Excited states of gaseous ions. IV. Potential energy surfaces of the H2O+ ion

Cross-sections of the potential energy hypersurfaces are reported for the four lower-lying states of the H₂O⁺ molecular ion. The symmetric dissociation of the ion has been investigated using the CNDO/2 method supplemented by a configuration interaction calculation. Self-consistent-field wave functions were calculated for the asymmetric dissociation using an extended basis of Gaussian-lobe functions. The values of the hydrogen exponents are found to be very sensitive to the molecular geometry. The calculated equilibrium H-O-H angle is 123° in the X?²B₁ state, nearly 180° in the X?A²A₁ state and 69° in the B?²B₂ state. The lower-lying quartet á ⁴B₁ is line entirely repulsive. The potential energy surface of the à ²A₁ state has a peculiar shape, characterized by two dissociation valleys.     

Channel-Resolved Ultrafast Dissociation Dynamics of NO2 Molecules Studied via Femtosecond Time-Resolved Ion Imaging

The ultrafast dissociation dynamics of NO₂ molecules was investigated by femtosecond laser pump-probe mass spectra and ion images. The results show that the kinetic energy release of NO⁺ ions has two components, 0.05 eV and 0.25 eV, and the possible dissociation channels have been assigned. The channel resolved transient measurement of NO⁺ provides a method to disentangle the contribution of ultrafast dissociation pathways, and the transient curvesof NO⁺ ions at different kinetic energy release are fitted by a biexponential function. The fast component with a decay time of 0.25 ps is generated from the evolution of Rydberg states. The slow component is generated from two competitive channels, one of the channel is absorbing one 400 nm photon to the excited state A²B2, which has a decay time of 30.0 ps, and the other slow channel is absorbing three 400 nm photons to valence type Rydberg states which have a decay time less than 7.2 ps. The channel and time resolved experiment present the potential of sorting out the complex ultrafast dissociation dynamics of molecules.     

MRD CI study of the photodissociation of HO2 into OH(X2II) + O(3P, 1D)

A MRD CI procedure has been used to calculate several electronic states of the hydroperoxyl radical. The basis set is of double-zeta plus polarization quality augmented with s- and p-type bond and Rydberg functions. The vertical excitation energies of the lowest eight doublet and six quartet states are reported. Oscillator strengths for transitions form the ground to upper doublet states were calculated. A cut of the potential energy surfaces along the OOH fragmentation pathway is used to discuss the mechanisms of HO₂ photodissociation below 6.4 eV. Arguments are presented which indicate O(¹D) rather than O(³P) is the primary dissociation product, and so support the experimental findings rather than theory in the conflict raised earlier on this matter. Ostensibly the dissociation proceeds diabatically on the surface of the initially populated ²A″(1a″ → 2a″) state yielding OH(X²II) + O(¹D).     

Thermal-energy charge transfer of Ar+ with H2O: Internal and kinetic energy of the product H2O+

The reaction of Ar⁺ with H₂O has been investigated at near-thermal energy. The product ions H₂O⁺ and ArH⁺ account for 90 and 10% of the total reaction rate, respectively. Kinetic energy measurements and emission spectroscopy of the H₂O⁺ product ions are reported. It is concluded that at least 60% of H₂O⁺ ions are in the X? state with ≈2.4 eV vibrational energy while up to 40% are in the à state with a mean vibrational energy of 1.4 eV; the à state vibrational distribution has been determined. It is shown that both H₂O⁺ states are populated via an energetically “non-resonant” charge transfer process.     

Unimolecular dissociations of excited C3H6O+: A comparative photoelectron—photoion coincidence study of 1,2-epoxypropane and acetone

The unimolecular fragmentation of internal energy selected 1,2-epoxypropane cations has been studied by fixed-wavelength photoelectron—photoion coincidence spectroscopy. Branching ratios for the prominent fragment ions are reported up to an ionization energy of I = 14 eV. It is shown that 1,2-epoxypropane cations initially formed with none or only little vibrational excitation in the electronic ground state do not dissociate, though their excess energy with respect to the lowest energetic fragmentation pathway is 1.25 eV. As the internal energy is increased, slow fragmentation into several dissociation channels is observed. This is used to explain a comparably slow dissociation process observed in the case of acetone molecular ions initially excited to their electronic à state. CH₂C(OH)CH₃⁺ and/or CH₃CHCHOH⁺ are proposed as precursors for these low-rate unimolecular reactions.     

Excitation of alkali atoms in collisions with molecules. Population of the states K(62S) and K(52-P)

Radiation at 4050 and 6930 A has been observed in collisions of fast potassium atoms with N₂, O₂, CO, NO, CO₂, C₂H₄ and C₆H₆. Emission at both wavelengths is weak compared to that at 7680 Å. The threshold energy for emission at 6930 Å has been found to be equal to the excitation energy (3.4 eV) of the state K(6²S) for N₂ and NO, but higher (5.5 eV) for CO.     

Applicability of multireference many-body perturbation theory to the Ne2+ molecule

The ground state as well as some low-lying excited states of the Ne₂⁺ molecule are calculated by means of the third-order multireference many-body perturbation theory with the “full” eight-orbital valence space using DZP and polarized valence TZ basis sets. The problem encountered with a large number of valence electrons is avoided by a proper definition of the Fermi vacuum. The calculated equilibrium distance of 1.721 Å and chemical dissociation energy D₀ = 1.283 eV are in good agreement with experimental results. A comparison with other ab initio techniques is also provided. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The chemistry and physics of molecular surfaces

Configuration interaction calculations are carried out to study the potential energy surface for the system Ar-Ar ₂ ⁺ . An all-electron as well as a pseudopotential treatment is employed. It is found that in the perpendicular Ar approach the Ar ₂ ⁺ partner remains essentially unchanged and the potential can be characterized by an electrostatic ion-induced dipole interaction. In the collinear mode of Ar approach the Ar ₂ ⁺ bond separation increases considerably, the charge is redistributed and the interaction can be characterized as chemical bonding. The minimum on the surface is found to be the linear symmetric molecule with bond lengths of 2.62 Å. The optimum structure in the perpendicular approach lies 0.13 eV above the minimum and is the T-shaped molecule in which the Ar is 3.65 Å away from the midpoint of the Ar ₂ ⁺ (r=2.46 Å) system; the best equilateral triangle structure has a bond length of 2.99 Å but is found to lie 0.64 eV above the Ar ₃ ⁺ minimum. The dissociation energy into Ar ₂ ⁺ + Ar is calculated to be 0.16 eV in reasonable agreement with experimental values of 0.21 eV. The potential curves for the four lowest states of Ar ₂ ⁺ are also treated.     

Photoionization study of Hg2

Photoionization efficiency data for Hg₂⁺ have been obtained in the region of 650–1400 A. The ionization energy of Hg₂ was determined to be 9.103 ± 0.010 eV. This value allows the calculation of the dissociation energy of Hg⁺₂ to be 1.40 ± 0.02 eV. By analyzing the differences in energy between corresponding autoionization peaks observed in the Hg⁺ and the Hg₂⁺ spectra and by assuming the charge induced-dipole interaction to be the dominant interaction between Hg⁺(²D_{5/2, 3/2}) and Hg at the equilibrium bond distance of Hg₂, the equilibrium bond distance for Hg₂ was deduced to 3.35 A.     

Ionic excited states of Ne2F

Ab initio molecular electronic structure theory has been applied to the nine lowest potential energy surfaces of Ne₂F. A valence double zeta basis set was used in conjunction with first-order configuration interaction wavefunctions. In analogy with the results of Wadt and Hay for Ar₂F, the 2 ²B₂ state of Ne₂F was found to be significantly bound, by 0.76 eV relative to its lowest dissociation limit, Ne + 2 ²Σ⁺ NeF. The pertinence of these results to possible neon-fluoride laser systems is noted.     

Potential energy surface for Li+Li2: AN AB initio valence-bond calculation

A potential energy surface, calculated using the ab initio multistructure valence-bond technique, is reported for the collinear Li + Li₂ system. The ground state potential surface of the system is predicted to have no barrier to reaction and to possess a well of 4.62 kcal/mole (0.200 eV) relative to the infinitely separated reactants with the Li₂ at its equilibrium separation. An analytic potential energy surface is derived, which includes empirical corrections for the “diatomic” errors in the ab initio calculation. The empirically corrected surface dissociates to the experimental Li₂ potential energy curve when any one of the three lithium atoms is removed to a large distance. Cuts in the ab initio potential energy surface of the lowest electronically excited states of the system are also reported.     

Electronic absorption spectra of MnO4− ions in single crystals of alums

The electronic absorption spectra of MnO₄^? ions in the single crystals of KA1(SO₄)₂·12H₂O and NH₄A1(SO₄)₂·12H₂O at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature are reported. The assignments of the absorption bands observed at around 5200 Å, 3600 Å, 3000 Å and 2300 Å have been made in a consistent manner. The molecular orbital energy level scheme given by Johnson and Smith on the basis of a spin-unrestricted SCF Xα cluster model has been used in conjunction with Slater's transition state theory to interpret the optical absorption spectra.     

Excited states of gaseous ions. V. The predissociation of the h2o+ ion

The B?² state of H₂O⁺ is predissociated twice. First, by the ã⁴B₁ state, giving OH⁺ + H fragments via spinorbit coupling interaction. Secondly, by a²A state, giving H ⁺ OH fragments via spin-orbit coupling and Coriolis interactions. A vibrational analysis of the photoelectron band of the B? state of H₂O⁺ and D₂O⁺ is carried out. This provides the vibrational frequencies of the H₂O⁺, D₂O⁺ and HDO⁺ ions, as well as a vibrational assignment of the peaks. The H₂O⁺ ion in its B?²B₂ state is found to have a OH bond length of 1.12 A and a valence angie of 78°.In order to describe the unimolecular fragmentation process, a distinction is introduced between the totally symmetric, optically active vibrational modes, and the antisymmetric ones which are coupled to the continuum. The former are supplied with photon or electron impact energy, but only the latter are chemically efficient. The dynamics of the dissociation process depends therefore on the couplings among normal modes. This is studied in the framework of two models. In Model 1, it is assumed that, as a result of the anharmonicity of the potential energy surface, only even overtones of the antisymmetric vibration are excited by Fermi resonance. In Model II, excitation of the odd overtones is provided by vibronic coupling. Model II is in better agreement with experiment than Model I. Calculated and experimental results have been compared on the following points: isotopic shift on the appearance potential of OH⁺ and OD⁺ ions, shapes of the photoionization curves, fragmentation pattern with 21 eV photons, presence of a unimolecular metastable transition, production of O⁺ ions. All the vibrational levels situated above the dissociation asymptote are totally predissociated. Autoionization is shown in this case to contribute only to the formation of molecular H₂O⁺ ions, and not to that of the OH⁺ fragments. For 21 eV electrons, the contribution due to direct ionization is calculated to represent about 25% of the total cross section, the rest being due to autoionization.     

Translational energy distribution of excited deuterium atoms produced by controlled electron impact on D2

The Balmer-β line of the excited deuterium atom [D*(n = 4)] produced in e—D₂ collisions has been measured at high resolution (0.029–0.033 Å) and at various electron energies (17–100 eV). The translational energy distribution of D*(n = 4) has been calculated from analysis of its Doppler line shape. The distribution of D* has three major components as in the case of H*(n = 4) from H₂ reported in our previous paper. Their peaks lie at about 0, 6 and 8 eV. The excitation function of D* is found to have two thresholds at 17.4 and 26.4 eV. The second component of D* has a larger translational energy and a higher threshold than those of the corresponding component of H*. These results indicate that the contribution from the lowest doubly excited state, ¹Σ_g⁺(2pσ_u)², is much smaller for D₂ than that for H₂.     

On a simple reaction mechanism for the collision-induced dissociation He + Li2(B1Πu) → He + Li(2 2S) + Li(2 2P)

A simple reaction mechanism is suggested for the dissociation of electronically excited Li₂(B¹Π_u) in collision with rare-gas atoms. Experimental rate constants for dissociation of Li₂ in specific vibrational—rotational levels (ν1J) show an unexpected behaviour as a function of the initial molecular energy and angular momentum. We propose that raction proceeds by a transition to the ¹Π_g state of Li₂. This may dissociate more readily since it is more weakly bound and has a larger equilibrium distance than the ¹Π_u state.     

Analysis of the 350–400 nm oscillatory continuum from I2 (D 1Σ+u)

The 350–400 nm oscillatory continuum, observed in emission when I₂ is excited to the D¹Σ⁺_u state (λ = 193 nm, u′ ≈ 134), has been analysed. The lower potential state, which correlates with two ground-state 1 atoms, is found to be purely repulsive between 2.75 and 3.8 Å, the range defined by the observed fluorescence. The band is partially overlapped by another system and there are two possible positions for the band origin, leading to very similar lower states.     

Imaging the [1+1] Two-Photon Dissociation Dynamics of Br2+ in a Cold Ion Beam

The [1+1] two-photon dissociation dynamics of mass-selected ⁷⁹Br₂⁺ has been studied in acold ion beam using a cryogenic cylindrical ion trap velocity map imaging spectrometer. The quartet 1⁴Σ^-_u,3/2 state of ⁷⁹Br₂⁺ is employed as an intermediate state to initiate resonance enhanced two-photon excitation to high-lying dissociative states in the 4.0-5.0 eV energy region above the ground rovibronic state. Total kinetic energy release (TKER) and the twodimensional recoiling velocity distributions of fragmented ⁷⁹Br⁺ ions are measured using the technique of DC-slice velocity map imaging. Branching ratios for individual state-resolved product channels are determined from the TKER spectra. The measured photofragment angular distributions indicate that the dissociation of ⁷⁹Br₂⁺ occurs in dissociative Ω=3/2 state via ΔΩ=0 parallel transition from the 1⁴Σ^-_u,3/2 intermediate state. Due to the considerable spin-orbit coupling effects in the excited states of ⁷⁹Br₂⁺, higher-lying dissociative quartet states are likely responsible for the observed photodissociation processes.     

On the ion‐pair dissociation mechanisms in the small NaCl·(H2O)6 cluster: A perspective from reaction path search calculations

We performed reaction path search calculations for the NaCl·(H₂O)₆ cluster using the global reaction route mapping (GRRM) code to understand the atomic‐level mechanisms of the NaCl → Na⁺ + Cl⁻ ionic dissociation induced by water solvents. Low‐lying minima, transition states connecting two local minima and corresponding intrinsic reaction coordinates on the potential energy surface are explored. We found that the Na Cl distances at the transitions states for the dissociation pathways were distributed in a relatively wide range of 2.7–3.7 Å and that the Na Cl distance at the transition state did not correlate with the commonly used solvation coordinates. This suggests that the definition of the transition states with specific structures as well as good reaction coordinate is very difficult for the ionic dissociation process even in a small water cluster. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Two-photon ionization of Li2: isotopic separation and determination of IP(Li2) and De(Li+2)

Complete isotope separation is achieved by two-photon ionization of Li₂ by a single mode Ar⁺ laser. With the use of two Ar⁺ lasers, the ionization potential of Li₂ is found to be 5.174 ± 0.013 eV, and the dissociation energy D_e(Li⁺₂) to be 1.274 ± 0.019 eV.     

Theoretical study of the vertical electron affinity and ionization potentials of C3

The electron affinity and first three ionization potentials of C₃ are calculated using the multiconfigurational SCF and configuration interaction methods and by Möller-Plesset perturbation theory. Whereas Koopmans' theorem and SCF calculations indicate that the first cation state is ²Π_u, upon inclusion of correlation effects both the ²Σ_u and ²Σ_g cation states are found to lie lower in energy. CI calculations indicate that the ground state (²Π_g) anion is stable by 1.74 eV. Allowing for the error in the calculated electron affinity of the carbon atom, C₃^? is estimated to be stable by 2.0 eV, in excellent agreement with the 2.05 eV value determined from recent photodetachment measurements. No excited anion states are found to be bound at the equilibrium geometry of the neutral molecule.