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.     

Energy disposal in thermal-energy charge-transfer reactions: Ar+,Kr+ and Xe+ with NH3

Thermal-energy charge-transfer reactions from the ²P_3/2 state of Ar⁺, Kr⁺ and Xe⁺ with NH₃ are shown to be non-energy resonant: the kinetic energy released in each case has been measured, and the internal energy of the NH⁺₃ product ions deduced. Possible quenching of ²P_1/2 state of rare-gas ions in ICR cells is discussed.     

Electronic nonadiabatic transitions in the reactive (Ar+ + H2, Ar + H+2, ArH+ + H) system. Numerical results for the collinear configuration

In this communication are presented exact quantum mechanical nonadiabatic electronic transition probabilities for the collinear reaction Ar⁺ + H₂(v_i = 0) → ArH⁺(v_f) + H. The calculations were performed using a potential surface calculated by the DIM method. It is established that large probabilities (≈ 1.0) can be obtained only if there is enough translational energy to overcome a potential barrier formed due to the crossing between v_i = 0 of the Ar⁺ + H₂ system and v_i = 2 of the Ar + H⁺₂ system. The threshold for the reaction is found to be 0.06 eV.     

Experimental determination of repulsive potentials between alkali ions (Li+, Na+, and K+) and N2 and CO molecules

Integral scattering cross sections have been measured for alkali ions (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) in the energy range 500–4000 eV scattered by room temperature N₂ and CO molecules through effective laboratory angles greater than 5 × 10^?3 rad. The repulsive potentials deduced from the cross sections are represented bya practically identical formula for the Na⁺N₂ and Na⁺CO systems, and for the K⁺CO systems, respectively, while the repulsive potentials of the Li⁺N₂ system are somewhat smaller than those of the Li⁺CO system at larger intermolecular distances.     

Coincidence studies of fluorescence and dissociation processes in electronic excited states of I2+, Br2+, IBr+ and ICl+

The PIFCO technique in which mass-selected photoion—fluorescence photon coincidences are counted, was used to investigate whether I₂⁺, IBr⁺ and ICl⁺ fluoresce. Measurements were made of lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields of electronic excited states of these ions. Emission was discovered for I₂⁺ and IBr⁺, but ICl⁺ apparently does not fluoresce. Information on the radiative properties of Br₂⁺ was obtained as a by-product of the work on IBr⁺. Fragment ion kinetic energy releases were determined and provide information on dissociative ionization processes in the halogen and interhalogen ions studied.     

Product translational energy distributions and collision mechanics of the N + + CO reaction

Using a tandem mass spectrometer, kinetic energies of the five products CO ⁺, C ⁺, O ⁺, NO ⁺, CN ⁺ of reactive N ⁺ + CO collisions have been measured in the forward direction with respect to the N ⁺ beam. While CO ⁺ is observed mainly close to zero energy in the lab system, corresponding to formation by glancing collisions, there is evidence for formation of C ⁺ and O ⁺ via an intermediate NCO ⁺ complex at low impact energies. The productions of NO ⁺ and CN ⁺ show a very clear transition from complex to stripping reaction mechanism between 5 and 20 eV _lab. Highly excited NO ⁺ and CN ⁺ ions are formed up to impact energies of 60–70 eV _lab in the c.m. forward direction. In addition, these ions are formed in the backward c.m. direction up to very high collision energies (at least 200 eV _lab). This is explained by a collinear knock-on mechanism.     

Kinetic energy dependence of the reactions of N+ and N2+ with molybdenum

Mass-selected beams of N⁺ and N₂⁺ in the energy range 5–50 eV react with molybdenum to produce a surface nitride. The relative reaction cross section for N⁺ reaction is higher than that of N₂⁺ in the range 5–25 eV and N₂⁺ exhibits a reaction threshold near 7 eV. The N₂⁺ threshold suggests collisional dissociation prior to reaction.     

An ab initio potential energy surface for the reaction N+ + H2 → NH+ + H

Preliminary results of ab initio unrestricted Hartree-Fock calculations for the potential energy surface for the reaction N⁺ + H₂ → NH⁺ + H are reported. For the collinear approach of N⁺ to H₂, the ³Σ^? surface has no activation barrier and has a shallow well (ca. 1 eV). For perpendicular approach (C_2v symmetry) the ³B₂ state is of high energy, the ³A₂ state has a shallow well but as the bond angle increases the ³B₁ state decreases in energy to become the state of lowest energy. Neither the collinear nor the perpendicular approaches give adiabatic pathways to the deep potential well of ³B₁ (HNH)⁺.     

Endothermic reactions of Ni+ with H2, HD and D2

An ion-beam apparatus is employed to study the reaction of Ni⁺ with H₂, HD, and D₂ as a function of kinetic energy. These reactions lead to the endothermic formation of NiH⁺, NiH⁺ and NiD⁺, and NiD⁺, respectively. Interpretation of the threshold for these processes yields the average bond energies, D⁰(Ni⁺H) = 1.86 ± 0.09 eV and D⁰(Ni⁺D) = 1.90 ± 0.14 eV. The total reaction cross sections for all three systems are similar; however, a striking isotope effect is observed for Ni⁺ reacting with HD. The dependence of the cross sections on relative kinetic energy is discussed in terms of simple models for reaction.     

Subnanometre depth resolution in sputter depth profiling of Si layers using grazing‐incident low‐energy O2+ and Ar+ ions

The sputter damage profiles of Si(100) by low‐energy O₂⁺ and Ar⁺ ion bombardment at various angles of incidence were measured using medium‐energy ion scattering spectroscopy. It was observed that the damaged Si surface layer can be minimized down to 0.5–0.6 nm with grazing‐incident 500 eV Ar⁺ and O₂⁺ ions at 80°. To illustrate how the damaged layer thickness can be decreased down to 0.5 nm, molecular dynamics simulations were used. The SIMS depth resolution estimated with trailing‐edge decay length for a Ga delta‐layer in Si with grazing‐incident 650 eV O₂⁺ was 0.9 nm, which is in good agreement with the measured damaged layer thickness. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Preferential sputtering observed in Auger electron spectroscopy sputter depth profiling of AlAs/GaAs superlattice using low‐energy ions

Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) sputter depth profiling of an ISO reference material of the GaAs/AlAs superlattice was investigated using low‐energy Ar⁺ ions. Although a high depth resolution of ～1.0 nm was obtained at the GaAs/AlAs interface under 100 eV Ar⁺ ion irradiation, deterioration of the depth resolution was observed at the AlAs/GaAs interface. The Auger peak profile revealed that the enrichment of Al due to preferential sputtering occurred during sputter etching of the AlAs layer only under 100 eV Ar⁺ ion irradiation. In addition, a significant difference in the etching rates between the AlAs and GaAs layers was observed for low‐energy ion irradiation. Deterioration of the depth resolution under 100 eV Ar⁺ ion irradiation is attributed to the preferential sputtering and the difference in the etching rate. The present results suggest that the effects induced by the preferential sputtering and the significant difference in the etching rate should be taken into account to optimize ion etching conditions using the GaAs/AlAs reference material under low‐energy ion irradiation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Collisional Dissociation of CH3O2+

The collision-induced breakup of CH₃O₂⁺ ions, produced in various binary ion—neutral reactions, was investigated in a drift experiment in the energy range from 0.2 to 1.2 eV. The products observed were HCO⁺ (50%) and H₃O⁺ (50%), independent of the collision energy inducing the breakup. The energy barrier for the breakup is 22 ± 6 kcal/mole.     

Observation of far-infrared transitions of HCO+, CO+ and HN+2

Rotational transitions of molecular ions HCO⁺, CO⁺, and HN⁺₂ have been observed at frequencies aroud 1 THz. The ions were produced in the negative glow of a hollow cathode discharge cooled by liquid nitrogen. Preliminary results indicate efficient production of ions in an absorption cell of simple construction.     

Quantum mechanical treatment of the collinear H+ + H2 system. The uncoupled system

A fully converged close coupling study is performed of the collinear (H⁺ + H₂) system on the lower potential energy surface. The surface is derived by the DIMZO (diatomic in molecules-zero overlap) method. Transition probabilities for the reactions: H⁺ + H₂ (ν = 0, 1) → H₂ (ν′) + H⁺; ν′ = 0,..., 7 are given for a number of total energies in the range from 1 eV to 3 eV. It is found that for this energy region the transition ν = 0 → ν′ = 0 is the most preferential. This fact leads us to believe that addition of the upper surface will have a minor effect on the calculated probabilities of transitions from ν = 0 in the above-mentioned energy range.     

Mobilities of H+3 and HeH+ ions in helium gas and rate coefficient for HeH+ + H2 → H+3 + He

The mobilities of mass-identified H⁺₃ and HeH⁺ ions in helium and the reaction rate coefficient for HeH⁺ + H₂ → H⁺₃ + He have been measured by a drift-tube quadrupole mass spectrometer at 300 K. The zero-field reduced mobilities of H⁺₃ and HeH⁺ ions, corrected to 273 K, are 31.0 ± 0.8 and 23.4 ± 0.6 cm² V^?1 s^?1 respectively. The reaction rate coefficient was found to be (1.26 + 0.16) × 10^?9 cm³s^?1 and was observed to be independent of the mean ion kinetic energy in the range from 0.04 to 0.3 eV.     

Semi-classical calculations of rotational/vibrational transitions in Li+ − H2

Some semi-classical calculations of rot/vib transitions in Li⁺ ? H₂ at 0.869, 1.469 and 3.919 eV total energy are presented. Comparison with recent quantum mechanical and classical S-matrix calculations is made.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the reaction Ba+(D2, D)BaD+: sequential impulse model for endothermic reactions

The sequential impulse model for direct reactions of Mahan, Ruska and Winn is extended to include endothermic reactions. The model is outlined and used to predict the variation in cross section with kinetic energy for heavy atom—light homonuclear diatom reactions. The results are found to agrees well with experimental data for the reaction Ba⁺(D₂, D)BaD⁺. The bond dissociation energy of BaD⁺, 2.5 ± 0.1 eV, and the proton affinity of Ba, 250 ± 3 kcal/mol, are derived.     

Studies on primary hydrated complexes of Li+, Na+ and K+ ions by the extended Hückel method

The potential curves for aquacomplexes of Li⁺, Na⁺ K⁺ ions with the coordination numbers, n, equal to 4, 6 and 8 have been calculated by the extended Hückel method. The equilibrium values of the hydrated shell radius and the binding energy have been determined. The complexes of Li⁺ with n = 6 and Na⁺ and K⁺ with n = 8 were found to be the most advantageous energetically. As could be expected the contribution of the 3d-orbitals to the binding for the K⁺ion is much more considerable than for the Na⁺ion. The character of the potential curves for aquacomplexes of sodium and potassium ions is quite different. In the case of the K⁺ion the curves are found to be very smooth and slowly decreasing with distance, which can be attributed to the poor hydratability of this ion and the “loosening” of water structure by it.     

Molecular structure and character of bonding of mono and divalent metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, and Cu+) with guanosine: AIM and NBO analysis

The B3LYP/6-311++G (d,p) density functional approach was used to study the gas-phase metal affinities of Guanosine (ribonucleoside) for the Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu⁺ cations. In this study we determine coordination geometries, binding strength, absolute metal ion affinities, and free energies for the most stable products. We have also compared the results for Guanosine, with our previously reported results for 2′-Deoxyguanosine. Based on the results, it is obvious that MIA is strongly dependent on the charge-to-size ratio of the cation. Guanosine interacts more strongly with Zn²⁺ than do with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu⁺ and therefore stronger interactions lead to higher MIA. In both free molecules and their complexes, the Syn orientation of the base is stabilized by an intramolecular O5′–H···N3 hydrogen bond and the anti orientation of the base is stabilized by an intramolecular C–H···O hydrogen bond formed between the (C8-H8) and the O5′ atom of the sugar moiety. It is also interesting to mention that linear correlation between calculated MIA values and the atomic numbers (Z) of the metal ions of Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ were found. Furthermore, the influences of metal cationization on the strength of the N-glycosidic bond, torsion angles, angle of pseudorotation (P), and intramolecular C–H···O and O–H···O hydrogen bonds have been studied. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was performed to calculate the charge transfer and natural population analysis of the complexes. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was also applied to determine the nature of interactions.