CO2 laser-induced decomposition of ethanol

The multiple photon absorption and decomposition of ethanol irradiated by pulsed 9P18 infrared radiation (1048.7 cm^?1) from a TEA CO₂ laser has been studied in the fluence range 15 to 5 J cm^?2. The absorption cross-section is pressure-dependent due to rapid collisional rotational hole-filling. At low pressures the only important decomposition channel following absorption is molecular dehydration of ethanol to yield ethene, but at higher pressures hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, ethane, and ethyne are also produced. In the irradiation of pure ethanol under ‘collision-free’ conditions, thermal decomposition following collisional redistribution of energy makes only a small contribution to the overall decomposition yield at fluences above 3.5 J cm^?2 but may become more significant at lower fluences. Modelling using RRKM calculations has been employed to link measured absorbed energies to extents of decomposition of ethanol. Both these calculations and the absorption measurements indicate that at low pressures only a fraction of the irradiated ethanol molecules absorb the 9P18 radiation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The absorption of pulsed infrared radiation by cyclobutanone and its subsequent decomposition

The absorption characteristics of cyclobutanone vapour irradiated with a pulsed CO₂ TEA laser at fluences of 0.5–1.5 J cm⁻²have been studied over the pressure range 0.3 to 20 Torr using both joulemeter and opto-acoustic measurements of the absorbed energy. Under these conditions the product concentration for the two subsequent decomposition channels into ethene + ketene and cyclopropane + CO were determined. Above ≈ 3 Torr the results are consistent with a thermally equilibrated system whereas at lower pressures a distinct enhancement of the lower energy pathway to ethene occurs, indicative of a non-Boltzmann energy distribution.     

CO2 laser-induced decomposition of propan-2-ol,butan-2-ol,pentan-2-ol,pentan-3-ol,and hexan-2-ol

The pulsed CO₂ laser-induced decompositions of propan-2-ol, butan-2-ol, pentan-2-ol, pentan-3-ol, and hexan-2-ol in the gas phase have been investigated. Like ethanol which we examined previously [1] the absorption cross section of propan-2-ol for pulsed 9R14 radiation increases with pressure at low pressures, an effect attributed to rotational hole-filling. In contrast the absorption cross section of butan-2-ol (10R24) has only a small pressure dependence and those of pentan-2-ol (9R26), pentan-3-ol (10R14), and hexan-2-ol (9P20) show little or no variation with pressure in the range 0.1–5.0 torr. Decomposition products have been investigated at low pressure where the excitation of the alkanols was essentially collision free. The observed products for all the alkanols can be rationalized on the basis of primary dehydration and C? C fission channels, with minor contributions from other molecular eliminations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

CH3F absorption of the CO2-laser emission measured by the photoacoustic technique

Spectra of coincidence of CH₃F IR absorption with CO₂-laser emission at pressures of 2, 10 and 60 Torr were recorded by the use of a photoacoustic detection method in the whole range of CO₂-laser emission. The spectra show that CH₃F absorbs many CO₂-laser lines in the range 1084–1071 cm⁻¹ with the strongest absorption at 1046.80cm⁻¹, laser line P(20). Absorption is predominantly due to the fundamental of v₃, which is well spread over the whole laser emission range. The intensities of all absorptions rise with increasing pressure, but some absorptions change their relative intensity with respect to one another. In addition, the fine structure of the line spectrum, characteristic of lower pressure samples, disappears as pressure is increased.     

Influence of γ-Irradiation on the Thermal Decomposition Of (BaC2O4+CuO) Mixture

Influence of γ-irradiation, 0.1–0.75 MGy on the thermal decomposition of (BaC₂O₄+CuO, 10 mol%) mixture has been studied between the temperature range 678-718 K. It is evident from ‘α-f’ plots that decomposition of both unirradiated and irradiated mixtures follows: (i) initial gas evolution (initial puff of gas), (ii) acceleratory and (iii) decay periods. Irradiation promotes the initial gas evolution (α₁), decreases the fractional decomposition (α), the effect being higher at lower doses, without altering the nature of the isotherms. But these effects increase with increasing radiation dose. Analysis of the kinetic data in the light of theories of various kinetic models are found to be well fitted to Prout-Tompkins, Avrami-Erofeyev and contracting square mechanisms. It is found that irradiation diminishes the rate of reaction of both the periods and decreases the energy of activation of the acceleratory stage without affecting the same in the decay period. Plausible mechanism of decomposition and the effect of γ-irradiation thereon has been discussed in detail.     

The decomposition of ethanol vapour by infrared radiation from a pulsed HF-laser

The decomposition of ethanol vapour induced by infrared radiation from a pulsed HF-laser has been studied as a function of pressure. At high pressures, above 10 torr, the main primary processes appear to be:C₂H₅OH → H₂ + CH₃CHO,C₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂O,C₂H₅OH → CH₃ + CH₂OHin a ratio of 3:2:1 which is independent of pressure. At low pressures the process yielding C₂H₄ and H₂O becomes dominant. The results suggest that the high pressure behaviour involves a “thermal” decomposition with collisional processes dominating, whereas at low pressures the decomposition is due to multiple photon absorption which at the lowest pressures approaches a collision-free unimolecular decomposition.     

Measurements and automated mechanism generation modeling of OH production in photolytically initiated oxidation of the neopentyl radical

Production of OH in the reaction of the neopentyl radical with O2 has been measured by a laser photolysis/cw absorption method for various pressures and oxygen concentrations at 673, 700, and 725 K. The MIT Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG) was used to automatically generate a model for this system, and the predicted OH concentration profiles are compared to present and literature experimental results. Several reactions significantly affect the OH profile. The experimental data provide useful constraints on the rate coefficient for the formally direct chemical activation reaction of neopentyl radical with O2 to form OH (CH3)3CCH2 + O2 --> OH + 3,3-dimethyloxetane (Rxn 1) At 673 K and 60 Torr, log k(1) (cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = -13.7 +/- 0.5. Absolute absorbance measurements on OH and I indicate that the branching ratio for R + O2 to OH is about 0.03 under these conditions. The data suggest that the ab initio neopentyl + O2 potential energy surface of Sun and Bozzelli is accurate to within 2 kcal mol(-1).     

Decomposition of hexafluoropropylene oxide in a strong IR field

Multiphoton dissociation (MPD) of hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) under focused CO₂-laser radiation was studied. A high-energy channel of HFPO decomposition was revealed. The dependences of the MPD yield and the ratio between various channels of HFPO decomposition on the laser radiation frequency in the range from 967.7 to 1090.0 cm^–1, the incident radiation energy, and the initial pressure of HFPO were obtained. A considerable contribution of thermal decomposition of HFPO occurring outside of the irradiated zone to the total yield of its decomposition was established. An explanation for the pressure dependence of the yield of HFPO decomposition was suggested.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2174–2180, November, 1995.The authors are grateful to the Russian Foundation for Basic Research for financial support of this work (Project No. 94-03-09059).     

The photo-induced pyrolysis of ethylene in a cw CO2 laser beam

Ethylene gas was irradiated using a 660 W/cm² cw CO₂ laser emitting at 10.6 μm. When the pressure increases, both the light absorption (α = 0.016 torr^?1 cm^?1) and the chemical decay rate reach a limiting value. Poor experimental agreement with Landau—Teller or SSH theory is observed when T changes, and the limiting reaction rate coincides with a limiting quantum yield, from which a corresponding activation energy of 192.4 kJ/mole is deduced. The qualitative mechanism of decomposition can be explained, assuming a heat cooling control of the output molecular energy deposited through the translational degrees of freedom, which is similar to the control by heat transport of the fluorescence slow decay rate.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN DNA REVEALED BY DNA-BASED LIQUID CRYSTALS

Abstract The preparations of chicken erythrocyte linear double-stranded DNA and superhelical plasmid pBR322 DNA were irradiated by continuous low-intensity UV radiation (I = 25-50 W/m², λ= 254 nm) as well as by highintensity picosecond laser UV radiation (I = 10¹¹-10¹³ W/m², λ= 266 nm). The effect of DNA secondary structure alterations on the formation of liquid-crystalline dispersions from UV-irradiated DNA preparations was studied. It was shown that in the case of linear DNA, watching the disappearance of abnormal optical activity characteristic for cholesteric liquid crystal we managed to detect the presence of photochemical alterations in DNA irradiated by low-intensity UV radiation at an absorbed energy of more than 20 quanta per nucleotide. In the case of superhelical DNA using enzyme treatment of liquid-crystalline dispersions and monitoring the appearance of abnormal optical activity, we detected the presence of photochemical alterations in DNA molecules after low-intensity UV irradiation at an absorbed energy of less than 4 quanta per nucleotide. Under the latter approach using picosecond UV laser irradiation at three different light intensities we were able to distinguish the different mechanisms of fine alterations in DNA secondary structure at an absorbed energy value of about 3 quanta per nucleotide.     

Behavior of Mercury Vapor Upon Irradiation by a Mercury Lamp in an Inert Gas

Abstract

The behavior of mercury vapor during irradiation by a mercury lamp is investigated. Using the flameless atomic absorption technique for mercury determination, it was found that when mercury vapor in an inert gas is irradiated by a mercury lamp, the atomic absorption signal of mercury is decreased rapidly and the signal may be restored by heating to 70°C. These phenomena indicate that the irradiation products of mercury vapor in the quartz tube are deposited on the tube, and are dissociated into the mono-atomic state of mercury upon heating.     

Thermal decomposition of methyl nitrite in shock waves studied by laser probing

The unimolecular decomposition of methyl nitrite in the temperature range 680–955 K and pressure range 0.64 to 2.0 atm has been studied in shock-tube experiments employing real-time absorption of CW CO laser radiation by the NO product. Computer kinetic modeling using a set of 23 reactions shows that NO product is relatively unreactive. Its initial rate of production can be used to yield directly the unimolecular rate constant, which in the fall-off region, can be represented by the second-order rate coefficient in the Arrhenius form: A RRKM model calculation, assuming a loose CH₃ONO^≠ complex with two degrees of free internal rotation, gives good agreement with the experimental rate constants.     

Mechanisms of decomposition of mixtures of ethyl acetate and isopropyl bromide subjected to pulsed infrared laser irradiation

The infrared laser induced decomposition of mixtures of ethyl acetate and isopropyl bromide has been studied. The ratio of the yields of products ethylene and propylene, arising from the unimolecular decomposition reactions: ethyl acetate → ethylene + acetic acid, and isopropyl bromide → propylene + hydrogen bromide, were measured as a function of the ratio of ethyl acetate to isopropyl bromide and pressure of added helium. The results indicate clearly that in these systems non-equilibrium behavior is found up to the highest pressures used (about one atmosphere). A two level kinetic model is suggested which qualitatively explains the observations.     

SO2 absorption of the CO2- laser emission measured by the photoacoustic technique

Spectra of coincidence of SO₂ IR absorption with CO₂-laser emission at pressure of 50,100 and 450 Torr were recorded by the use of a photoacoustic detection method in the whole range of CO₂-laser emission. The spectra show that SO₂ absorbs many CO₂-laser lines in the range 1084–1071 cm⁻¹ with the strongest absorption at 1082.29cm⁻¹, laser line R(26). The intensities of all absorptions rise with increasing pressure, but some absorptions change their relative intensity with respect to one another. In addition, the fine structure of line spectra, characteristic of lower pressure samples, disappear as pressure is increased.     

Thermal decomposition of gamma-irradiated potassium bromate by dynamic thermogravimetry

The thermal decomposition of γ-irradiated KBrO₃studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The reaction order, activation energy, frequency factor and entropy of activation were computed by means of the Coats-Redfern, Freeman-Carroll and modified Horowitz-Metzger methods and were compared with those for the unirradiated salt. Irradiation enhances the decomposition and the effect increases with the irradiation dose. The activation energy is decreased on irradiation. The mechanism for the decomposition of unirradiated and irradiated KBrO₃ follows the Avrami model equation, [1-(1-α)^1/3] = kt, and the rate-controlling process is a phase boundary reaction assuming spherical symmetry.     

157-nm Laser ablation of polymeric layers for fabrication of biomolecule microarrays

A new methodology for protein microarray fabrication is proposed based on the ablation of polymer film using laser at 157 nm (F₂). The polymer has been selected among others with the criterion of negligible protein adsorption. Improved results have been obtained by pretreatment of the polymer surface with an inert protein. The use of 157-nm laser radiation allowed very good depth control during the polymeric layer ablation process. In addition the importance of laser ablation at 157 nm is based on the fact that irradiated surfaces indicate limited chemical change due to the fact that laser ablation at 157 nm is only photochemical, thus avoiding excessive surface heating and damage. Results of protein microarray fabrication are presented to illustrate the viability of the proposed method.     

Chemical vapour deposition of germanium-containing films by IR laser-induced decomposition of ethoxy(trimethyl)germane

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) laser-induced decomposition of ethoxy(trimethyl)germane (ETG) results in a substantial stripping of organic substituents from germanium and leads to deposition of organogermanium films, the composition of which is dependent on the mode of laser irradiation. Direct absorption of laser radiation in ETG affords material rich in Germanium, while a sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-photosensitized process produces a deposit composed of Germanium, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. The deposited materials can be modified by chemical reactions with acetic anhydride and atmospheric moisture.     

Surface studies of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene irradiated with high‐energy pulsed electron beams in air

Ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was irradiated in air with high‐energy (9 MeV), pulsed electron beams to doses ranging from 2.5 to 100 Mrad and subsequently heat treated at 120°C for a time period of 120 min. Surface characterization of the target side of irradiated UHMWPE samples was carried out both before and after the heat treatment by means of attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR/ATR) spectroscopy and microhardness measurement. The obtained results provided further evidence supporting our earlier observation (Tretinnikov, O. N.; Ogata, S.; Ikada, Y. Polymer 1998, 39, 6115) that thermal decomposition of hydroperoxides formed upon irradiation of UHMWPE with high‐energy, pulsed electron beams in air leads to surface crosslinking, and the subsequent surface hardening of the irradiated polymer. Importantly, we found that this phenomenon has the highest contribution to the surface hardness enhancement of the polymer when the radiation dose is in the range of 10–30 Mrad. In addition, we found that this irradiation and subsequent heat treatment of UHMWPE in air does not lead to formation of carbonyl‐containing products unless the radiation dose exceeds 20 Mrad. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1503–1512, 1999     

Ultra-fast polymerization of epoxy-acrylate resins by pulsed laser irradiation

The 337.1-nm emission of a pulsed nitrogen laser was shown to initiate the crosslinking polymerization of epoxy-acrylate photoresists effectively. We evaluated the extent of curing from the amount of insoluble polymer formed and by the decrease in infrared (IR) absorption of the reactive double bond at 810 cm^?1. With the large power density available in the laser pulse (0.5 MW cm^?2) rates of polymerization as high as 10⁸ mol L^?1 s^?1 were observed in the presence of air. Quantum yield measurements indicated that each photon absorbed can create as many as 450 crosslinks; the kinetic chain length was calculated as ca. 4000 double bonds polymerized per initiating radical. During the induction period due to oxygen inhibition each photoinitiator radical consumed 1 O₂ molecule. The influence of the monomer and photoinitiator used on the sensitivity of the resin was examined; the best performing formulation contained the epoxy-acrylate oligomer, pentaerythritol triacrylate, as monomer and 2,2 dimethoxy-2-phenyl-acetophenone as photoiniatior. All the formulations studied can be cured by a single 500-kW laser pulse of 8 ns duration, provided that the irradiation is carried out in an inert atmosphere or with a focused laser beam.     

Atomemissionsspektroskopie mit laseranregung an graphit unter erhöhtem Druck—I. Plasmaeigenschaften

The paper describes the vaporization of graphite, the plasma form, the plasma properties and the interaction of laser radiation with the plasma for when the beam of a free running laser is focused on graphite in air at atmospheric pressure and in He, O₂, or Ar at pressures in a range from (1–40) × 10⁵ Pa.The power densities of the focused laser radiation (focal distances of condenser lens 150 to 50 mm) reach 10⁷$\text{W}\text{cm}{}_2$. The extent of vaporization depends on the pulse energy (under 40 × 10⁵ Pa not unambiguously, however) and the ambient pressure.The plasma is observed with normal, framing (to 10⁷ frames per second), and streak photography (to 25 $\text{mm}\text{μs}$). The plasma form depends, among other things, on the ambient gas, the power density of the laser pulse on the sample, and the ambient pressure. Increasing the pressure in the range from 25 × 10⁵ to 40 × 10⁵ Pa modifies the plasma form from a “plume” to a “fungus” with toroidal head. The average velocity of the plasma particles in air is about 3 × 10⁵$\text{cm}\text{s}$, which is 10 times higher than the velocity of the luminous plasma front. Under increased pressure a strong interaction between the laser radiation and the plasma takes place resulting in absorption by inverse bremsstrahlung (>50% in 40 × 10⁵ Pa He). In this way the luminosity of the plasma is enhanced by a factor of 100 (delay to the start of the laser pulse about 50 μs). This absorption of the laser beam by inverse bremsstrahlung becomes the dominating mechanism of excitation of the plasma and causes a strong temperature gradient from the point of absorption to the fringe.