Determination of molecular line parameters for acrolein (C3H4O) using infrared tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Acrolein (C₃H₄O) molecular line parameters, including infrared (IR) absorption positions, strengths, and nitrogen broadened half-widths, must be determined since they are not included in the high resolution transmission (HITRAN) molecular absorption database of spectral lines. These parameters are required for developing a quantitative analytical method for measuring acrolein in a single puff of cigarette smoke using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The task is complex since acrolein has many highly overlapping infrared absorption lines in the room temperature spectrum and the cigarette smoke matrix contains thousands of compounds. This work describes the procedure for estimating the molecular line parameters for these overlapping absorption lines in the wavenumber range (958.7–958.9 cm⁻¹) using quantitative reference spectra taken with the infrared lead-salt TDLAS instrument at different pressures and concentrations. The nitrogen broadened half-width for acrolein is 0.0937 cm⁻¹ atm⁻¹ and to our knowledge, is the first time it has been reported in the literature.     

Computer deconvolution applied to the parallel band, ν9 + ν10, of hexadeuteroethane

Computer deconvolution of spectra is discussed, and a close comparison made of deconvoluted spectra with those measured at higher resolution. It is shown that spectra at a resolution of ～0.012 cm^?1 can be obtained by the use of a relatively small grating spectrometer.The parallel band, ν₉ + ν₁₀, of C₂D₆ is examined at a resolution of 0.012 cm^?1 but no K-structure is observed, indicating that (A′?B′)?(A″?B″) is less than 1 × 10^?5 cm^?1. Rotational constants are given for the main band and two hot bands.     

A universal algorithm for fast and automated charge state deconvolution of electrospray mass-to-charge ratio spectra

This article describes a new algorithm for charge state determination and deconvolution of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass-to-charge ratio spectra. The algorithm (Zscore) is based on a charge scoring scheme that incorporates all above-threshold members of a family of charge states or isotopic components, and deconvolves both low- and high-resolution mass-to-charge ratio spectra, with or without a peak list (stick plot). A scoring weight factor, log (I/I ₀), in which I is the signal magnitude at a calculated mass-to-charge ratio, and I ₀ is the signal threshold near that mass-to-charge ratio, was used in most cases. For high-resolution mass-to-charge ratio spectra in which all isotopic peaks are resolved, the algorithm can deconvolve overlapped isotopic multiplets of the same or different charge state. Compared to other deconvolution techniques, the algorithm is robust, rapid, and fully automated (i. e., no user input during the deconvolution process). It eliminates artifact peaks without introducing peak distortions. Its performance is demonstrated for experimental ESI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass-to-charge ratio spectra (both low and high resolution). Charge state deconvolution to yield a “zero-charge” mass spectrum should prove particularly useful for interpreting spectra of complex mixtures, identifying contaminants, noncovalent adducts, fragments (N-terminal, C-terminal, internal), and chemical modifications of electrosprayed biomacromolecules.     

Spectroscopy of the E band of SO2 with a frequency-doubled single-mode dye laser

The rotational structure of the E band of SO₂ between 32720 and 32900 cm^?1 has been investigated by absorption spectroscopy with reduced Doppler width in a cooled cell at 190 K using a frequency-doubled cw single-mode dye laser. More than 400 lines in this band could be assigned, starting from a former partial analysis by Hamada and Merer. Severe perturbations in the upper state impede the assignment and prevent the unambiguous identification of many other lines in the spectrum. From the measured lines term values and molecular constants of the upper levels are derived. A comparison with spectra of very high resolution, taken in a collimated supersonic SO₂ beam demonstrates that the actual line density is by far higher than the spectral resolution in the cooled cell.     

Determination of the local electron number density in laser-induced plasmas by Stark-broadened profiles of spectral lines: Comparative results from Hα, Fe I and Si II lines

Measurements of the local electron density in laser-induced plasma have been carried out from the Stark-broadened profiles of three reference lines (H_α, Fe I and Si II). The plasma has been generated from a Fe–Si sample in air using a Nd:YAG laser. Compatible values of the local electron density have been obtained from the three lines. The experiment is based on the use of an imaging spectrometer, the capability for spatial resolution of a charge-coupled device and the application of a spatial deconvolution procedure to the spectra. Distributions of the emission coefficient have been obtained, showing that the three lines are emitted from different regions of the plasma. The implications in the apparent electron density values obtained in spatially-integrated measurements are discussed: similar values are obtained for the H_α and Si II lines, while the Fe I line leads to a 25% lower value.     

Vibrational and lifetime line broadenings in ESCA

The line profile of the narrow, symmetric 1s line from neon, recorded with the new ESCA instrument with X-ray monochromatization, is analyzed. The natural linewidth of this line is found to be 0.23 ± 0.02 eV, in good agreement with theoretical calculations of the oscillator strengths for Auger transitions and X-ray emission. Spectra from molecules show frequently asymmetric core electron lines under high resolution. This rules out previous explanations based on a chemical influence on the natural lifetime. Contrary to earlier assumptions, vibrational excitations are shown to be important in core electron spectra. For methane, the vibrational energy spacing is large enough to allow the vibrational lines to be partly resolved. Recent results from accurate PNO CI calculations on methane agree well with the experimental findings. The Franck-Condon transitions in the C1s and N1s lines from CO and N₂ are shown to be well described in the harmonic approximation and approximating the potential curves of the highly excited core hole states with the potential curve for the ground state of NO⁺, X¹ Σ⁺. Knowledge of vibrational excitations in core electron spectra is shown to be valuable in the analysis of high resolution X-ray emission spectra of free molecules.     

Comments on the threshold excitation spectrum of carbon monoxide by electron impact

The SF^?₆ threshold electron impact excitation spectrum of CO, in the 10 eV region, recorded with an improved resolution, confirms previous results obtained at lower resolution with the help of a deconvolution procedure.     

A comparative study of rotational temperatures using diatomic OH,O2 and N2+ molecular spectra emitted from atmospheric plasmas

From the application point of view, gas temperature is one of the most important parameters for atmospheric plasmas. Based on the fact that the gas temperature is closely related with the rotational temperature of an atmospheric plasma, a spectroscopic method of measuring the rotational temperature is described in this work by analyzing OH, O₂ and N₂⁺ molecular spectra emitted from the atmospheric plasma in ambient air. The OH and N₂⁺ molecular spectra are emitted because of the oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen atoms existing in the ambient air. The O₂ diatomic molecular spectrum is emitted from the oxygen plasma that is frequently produced for atmospheric plasma applications. In order to utilize a spectrometer with modest spectral resolution, a synthetic diatomic molecular spectrum was compared with the experimentally obtained spectrum. The rotational temperatures determined by the above three different molecular spectra are in good agreement within 2.4% error. In the case of a plasma with low gas temperature, the temperature measured by a thermocouple was compared to verify the accuracy of the spectroscopic method, and the results show excellent agreement. From the study, it was found that an appropriate diatomic molecular species can be chosen to be used as a thermometer depending on experimental circumstances.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of N2 and CO with dispersed Nel radiation

High resolution photoelectron spectra have been recorded from N₂ and CO with a fully calibrated energy analyzer at both the 736 and 744 A Nel lines. Observation of electrons from transitions to the υ = 11 level of the CO⁺ X²Σ⁺ ground state is reported for the first time. Relative intensities of all vibrational peaks appearing in each spectrum are given.     

Oxygen/nitrogen ordering in lanthanum new phase (La3Si8N11O4)

High-resolution ¹⁷O NMR spectra have been collected for crystalline samples of lanthanum new phase, La₃Si₈N₁₁O₄. In conjunction with previously published ²⁹Si and ¹⁵N spectra obtained for this phase, and in the light of the high-quality crystal structure data reported recently, a more detailed interpretation of the NMR spectra is presented than was possible in previous studies. The non-bridging oxygens in the structure are responsible for the single sharp peak seen in the ¹⁷O spectrum at 188 ppm; the remaining oxygens, occupying bridging sites shared with nitrogen, show up only weakly on the ¹⁷O spectrum as a broad diffuse band centered around zero ppm. The peak at −57.3 ppm on the ²⁹Si spectrum is believed to correspond to an overlap of [SiN₄] and [SiON₃] environments, with the −68.2 ppm peak corresponding to an [SiO₂N₂] environment.     

Inductively coupled plasma Fourier transform spectrometry: a study of element spectra and a table of inductively coupled plasma lines

Inductively coupled plasma spectra of 33 elements were acquired using a high resolution FT spectrometer in the UV/VIS spectral region. Spectra were recorded from 20000 to 53000 cm⁻¹ (500 to 189 nm) with a resolution of 0.1 cm⁻¹. From these spectra, a line table with a total number of 2229 lines was compiled listing the wavelength, wavenumber, signal-to-noise ratio and line width of each line. This table is given at the end of the paper. Furthermore, some special features of FT spectra are discussed in comparison to grating spectra.     

The t1 absorption and phosphorescence spectra of α-phase and γ-phase p-dichlorobenzene crystals

The T₁ absorption and emission spectra of the recently discovered α-phase of p-dichlorobenzene are presented and analyzed. New high resolution spectra of the α-phase are also reported and the analysis of the T₁ absorption spectrum is revised in light of results for the γ-phase. The frequency of the b_2g mode, involving out-of-plane chlorine motions, is found to drop by 210 cm^?1 upon excitation and, as a result, it is active as a progression-forming mode in both the absorption and emission spectra. Its activity, relative :othe a_g modes, is quite different in the two phases of p-dichlorobenzene and is not the same in the absorption and emission spectra. The high resolution phosphorescence spectrum of the α-phase shows detailed fine structure due to both multiple site emission and to splittings of some of the ground state vibrational levels.     

Spectroscopic diagnostics of laser-induced plasmas

An overview of spectroscopic diagnostics techniques for low temperature plasmas is presented with an emphasis to electron number density — N_e measurement. Stark broadening of non-hydrogenic atom and positive ion spectral lines is given. The attention is drawn to experimental techniques used for line intensity and line profile measurement. Self-absorption test, importance of Abel inversion, deconvolution of experimental line profiles and measurement of line asymmetry are treated in some detail in order to improve N_e measurements. Finally the sources of theoretical and experimental Stark broadening data are reviewed and some details discussed.     

Moderate-resolution two-photon spectrum of the naphthalene crystal and naphthalene in durene

The two-photon absorption spectra at ～ 5 cm^?1 resolution are presented for the naphthalene crystal and naphthalene in durene at 2°K in polarized light. A rich vibronic spectrum of the ¹B_2u(3200 Å) naphthalene state is observed and some of the strongest vibronic origins are from in-plane vibrations.     

Measurement of peak areas in energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

An algorithm is outlined for the measurement of peak areas in spectra obtained by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence techniques. Each fluorescence line is assumed to be a pure Gaussian function. Initially, a calibration equation relating the full width at half maximum (FWHM) to the centre of the peak is set up. Then, in an unknown spectrum, the Gauss function parameters are found by a stepwise procedure making a non-linear minimization procedure redundant. First, the background is estimated and subtracted; then the peak centres are found, and the FWHM is given by the calibration equation, which relates FWHM to the position of the peak centre. Finally, the amplitudes are estimated from a set of linear equations. The reliability of the proposed algorithm was proved for a variety of samples. The method was compared with a non-linear x² minimization routine. Quantitative analysis of two standard reference alloys was accurate. Below 20 keV, a suitable FWHM calibration is obtained from a set of K_α lines. Above 20 keV, a set of K_β1,3 lines is recommended.     

Magnetic resonance studies of hydrogen atom transfer

The experimental results obtained on four different types of Raman spectra: pure rotational lines, the I_VV and _VH components of the vibrational Q-branch and the vibrational rotational lines are presented for H₂, D₂, HF and N₂ dissolved at low concentration in inert solvents. The line broadening and motional narrowing due to the solvent interaction is discussed.     

High resolution study of photoabsorption photodissociation and fluorescence in H2

Extensive excitation fluorescence spectra for both the molecule and the atomic fragment are presented with the absorption spectrum in the 765–850 Å spectral range with a resolution varying from 0.07 to 0.05Å. A review is made of the previously published results on photodissociation cross sections, photodissociation rates, predissociation probabilities. New results on the predissociation of then p σ Σ⁺ _u levels are presented. The competitions between the various decay processes: radiation, predissociation and autoionisation, are discussed.     

Ultraviolet laser photoacoustic spectrometric determination of sulfur dioxide in mixtures containing larger amounts of nitrogen dioxide

Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the nl l^?1 range are quantitatively measured in gaseous mixtures containing a large excess of nitrogen dioxide by using ultraviolet laser photoacoustic spectrometry. Mixtures containing SO₂ as a minority component are prepared by gas permeation methods. Photoacoustic spectra with 0.5 cm^?1 resolution in the 299.7–303.1 nm region are presented and are used to identify the spectral signatures of each component needed for selective detection. A procedure for the determination of both SO₂ and NO₂ is presented with major emphasis on the sensitivity and dynamic range of SO₂ detection. Concentrations of SO₂ as low as 1.45 nl l^?1 are detected in the presence of 901 nl l^?1 NO₂ in nitrogen at 1 atm total pressure. The effect of adding water vapor (from 17 to 66% relative humidity) is described.     

A study on neutron energy spectrum estimation by LaBr3:Ce detector

A novel approach to estimation of neutron energy spectrum by LaBr₃:Ce detector which was usually used for gamma rays measurement was presented. In this approach, energy distribution of the neutron flux was devided into several bins, and simultaneous equations of these bins were setup based on the net counts of gamma peaks induced by neutron inelastic scattering with LaBr₃:Ce detector. With these equations, the neutron energy spectrum was derived by a deconvolution algorithm. This approach was tested using a 3 in.?×?3 in. LaBr₃:Ce detector exposured to an ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source and proved practicable.

     

Photofragment spectroscopy of molecular ions: design and performance of a new apparatus using coaxial beams

A new apparatus is described for the study of photofragment spectroscopy of molecular ions in a coaxial laser-ion beam configuration. Complementary to other developments in this field, the apparatus emphasizes the kinetic energy spectroscopy of the photofragments and is particularly designed to study direct photodissociation processes via repulsive potential curves. On the laser side, the experiment uses discrete lines in the visible and UV region (Ar⁺ laser, excimer laser). A detailed analysis of the experimental conditions is presented, in particular with respect to the attainable energy resolution in the photofragment spectra. The apparatus provides sufficiently intense ion beams (5–10 nA) with controlled energy resolution (ΔE = 100?500 meV) and angular collimation (ΔΘ = 5?10 mrad). The measured photofragment spectra of H ₂ ⁺ in the visible and UV region are in full accordance with the predictions of the design analysis.