Spectroscopy of Cs2, RbCs, and Rb2 in solid 4He

We present comparative experimental and theoretical studies of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the alkali-metal dimer molecules Cs(2) and RbCs immersed in a solid helium matrix, thereby extending our recent observations of Rb(2) in solid (4)He. The laser-excited molecular states are mostly quenched by the interaction with the He matrix. The quenching efficiently populates the second lowest excited state of the molecule, i.e., (1) (3)Π((u)) that is metastable in the homonuclear dimers. Molecular excitation and emission bands are modeled by calculating Franck-Condon factors that give a reasonable agreement with the experimental findings.     

Cs*He(n) exciplexes in solid 4He

We present a theoretical and experimental study of the laser-induced formation process and of the emission spectra of Cs*He(n) exciplexes in the hcp and bcc phases of solid helium. Two different exciplex molecules are detected: a linear triatomic Cs*He2, which can exist in two electronic states: APi(1/2) and BPi(3/2), and a larger complex, where six or seven He atoms form a ring around a single cesium atom in the 6P(1/2) state. A theoretical model is presented, which allows the interpretation of the experimentally observed spectra.     

Photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold Cs below the 6P1/2 limit

We have performed high precision photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold cesium gas. Using trap-loss fluorescence detection and controlling the background cesium pressure we were able to photoassociate atoms into excited states of ultracold molecules with large detunings up to 56 cm(-1) below the Cs(6S(1/2)) + Cs(6P(1/2)) atomic asymptote. Vibrational progressions are assigned to 0(g)(-), 0(u)(+), and 1(g) long-range states. By fitting the spectral data to the LeRoy-Bernstein expression, the effective coefficients of the leading long-range interactions and the vibrational quantum number at dissociation are obtained. In addition we have observed spectral perturbations between states of the same symmetry belonging to different asymptotes (6P(1/2) and 6P(3/2)). The perturbations are manifested through irregular vibrational level spacings and are especially pronounced in the 0(u)(+) symmetry. Many observed rotational levels indicate d- and higher partial wave contributions to the photoassociation cross section in the presence of trapping laser light, while spectral regions with only weak features suggest nodes in the lower state wave functions corresponding to the two ground state atoms asymptote.     

Photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold Cs below the 6P(3/2) limit

High precision photoassociation spectroscopy is performed in ultracold cesium gas, with detunings as large as 51 cm(-1) below the Cs(6S(1/2))+Cs(6P(3/2)) asymptote. Trap-loss fluorescence detection is used for detecting the photoassociation to excited state ultracold molecules. Long vibrational progressions are assigned to electronic states of 0(g) (-), 0(u) (+), and 1(g) symmetry. The spectral data are fitted to a LeRoy-Bernstein equation, in order to obtain the effective coefficients of the leading long-range interaction term (C(3)/R(3)) and the relative vibrational quantum numbers measured down from dissociation. Additionally we present evidence for perturbations between the 0(g) (-) state and the dark 2(u) state.     

New view of the ICN A continuum using photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN-

Negative-ion photoelectron spectroscopy of ICN(-) (X??(2)Σ(+)) reveals transitions to the ground electronic state (X??(1)Σ(+)) of ICN as well as the first five excited states ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), Π(0(-) ) (3), Π(0(+) ) (3), and (1)Π(1)) that make up the ICN A continuum. By starting from the equilibrium geometry of the anion, photoelectron spectroscopy characterizes the electronic structure of ICN at an elongated I-C bond length of 2.65 A?. Because of this bond elongation, the lowest three excited states of ICN ((3)Π(2), (3)Π(1), and Π(0(-) ) (3)) are resolved for the first time in the photoelectron spectrum. In addition, the spectrum has a structured peak that arises from the frequently studied conical intersection between the Π(0(+) ) (3) and (1)Π(1) states. The assignment of the spectrum is aided by MR-SO-CISD calculations of the potential energy surfaces for the anion and neutral ICN electronic states, along with calculations of the vibrational levels supported by these states. Through thermochemical cycles involving spectrally narrow transitions to the excited states of ICN, we determine the electron affinity, EA(ICN), to be 1.34(5) (+0.04∕-0.02) eV and the anion dissociation energy, D(0)(X??(2)Σ(+) I-CN(-)), to be 0.83 (+0.04/-0.02) eV.     

Rb and Cs oligomers in different spin configurations on helium nanodroplets

The study of small clusters is intended to fill the knowledge gap between single atoms and bulk material. He nanodroplets are an ideal matrix for preparing and investigating clusters in a superfluid environment. Alkali-metal atoms are only bound very weakly to their surface by van der Waals forces. Due to the formation process, high-spin states of alkali-metal clusters on He nanodroplets are favorably observed, which is in contrast to the abundance in other preparation processes. Until now, the prevailing opinion was that stable clusters of the heavy alkali-metal atoms, rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) on He nanodroplets, are limited to 5 and 3 atoms, respectively (Schulz et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 2004, 92, 13401). Here, we present stable complexes of Rb(n)? and Cs(n)? consisting of up to n = 30 atoms, with the detection of large alkali-metal clusters being strongly enhanced by one-photon ionization. Our results also suggest that we monitored both high-spin and low-spin state clusters created on nanodroplets. The van der Waals bound high-spin alkali-metal clusters should show strong magnetic behavior, while low-spin states are predicted to exhibit metallic characteristics. Alkali-metal clusters prepared in these two configurations appear to be ideal candidates for investigating nanosized particles with ferromagnetic or metallic properties.     

Formation of ultracold metastable RbCs molecules by short-range photoassociation

Ultracold metastable RbCs molecules are observed in a double species magneto-optical trap through photoassociation near the Rb(5S(1/2)) + Cs(6P(3/2)) dissociation limit followed by radiative stabilization. The molecules are formed in their lowest triplet electronic state and are detected by resonance enhanced two-photon ionization through the previously unobserved (3)(3)Π ← a?(3)Σ(+) band. The large rotational structure of the observed photoassociation lines is assigned to the lowest vibrational levels of the 0(+) or 0(-) excited states correlated to the Rb(5P(1/2)) + Cs(6S(1/2)) dissociation limit. This demonstrates the possibility of inducing direct photoassociation in heteronuclear alkali-metal molecules at a short internuclear distance, as pointed out earlier [J. Deiglmayr et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2008, 101, 13304].     

Photoionization and imaging spectroscopy of rubidium atoms attached to helium nanodroplets

Highly excited states of rubidium (Rb) atoms attached to helium (He) nanodroplets are studied by two-photon ionization spectroscopy in combination with electron and ion imaging. We find high yields of RbHe and RbHe(2) exciplexes when exciting to the 4D and 6P bands but not at the 6S band, in accord with a direct formation of exciplexes in binding RbHe pair potentials. Photoion spectra and angular distributions are in good agreement with a pseudodiatomic model for the RbHe(N) complex. Repulsive interactions in the excited states entail fast dissociation followed by ionization of free Rb atoms as well as of RbHe and RbHe(2) exciplexes.     

Electronic states and spin-orbit splitting of lanthanum dimer

Lanthanum dimer (La(2)) was studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and a series of multi-configuration ab initio calculations. The MATI spectrum exhibits three band systems originating from ionization of the neutral ground electronic state, and each system shows vibrational frequencies of the neutral molecule and singly charged cation. The three ionization processes are La(2)(+) (a(2)∑(g)(+)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(3/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), and La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(1/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), with the ionization energies of 39,046, 40,314, and 40,864 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational frequency of the X(1)Σ(g)(+) state is 207 cm(-1), and those of the a(2)Σ(g)(+), b(2)Π(3/2, u) and b(2)Π(1/2, u) are 235.7, 242.2, and 240 cm(-1). While X(1)Σ(g)(+) is the ground state of the neutral molecule, a(2)Σ(g (+) and b(2)Π(u) are calculated to be the excited states of the cation. The spin-orbit splitting in the b(2)Π(u) ion is 550 cm(-1). An X(4)Σ(g)(-) state of La(2)(+) was predicted by theory, but not observed by the experiment. The determination of a singlet ground state of La(2) shows that lanthanum behaves differently from scandium and yttrium.     

Single-photon spectroscopy of singlet sulfur atoms and the autoionization lifetime measurements of the superexcited singlet states

Single-photon excitation spectra from the lowest singlet (1)D(2) level of sulfur atoms were recorded with a tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation source generated by frequency tripling in noble gases. The photolysis of CS(2) at 193 nm was used to produce the singlet S((1)D(2)) sulfur atoms that were then excited to neutral superexcited states with the tunable VUV radiation. These superexcited states undergo autoionization into the first ionization continuum state of S(+)((4)S(3/2) (o))+e(-), which is not directly accessible from the S((1)D(2)) state via an allowed transition. The excitation spectra were recorded by monitoring the S(+) signal in a velocity imaging apparatus while scanning the VUV excitation wavelength. Three new lines were observed in the spectra which have not been previously reported. The full widths at half maximum (FWHM) of each of the observed transitions were determined by fitting the profiles of each absorption resonances with the Fano formula. Autoionization lifetimes tau of these singlet superexcited states were obtained from FWHM using the Uncertainty Principle. Abnormal autoionization lifetimes were found for the 3s(2)3p(3)((2)D(o))nd((1)D(2)) and the 3s(2)3p(3)((2)D(o))ns((1)D(2)) Rydberg series, in which tau(5d) and tau(7s) are shorter than tau(4d) and tau(6s), respectively. This is contrary to the well-known scaling law of tau(n*) proportional, variantn(*3), which should be followed within a series unless there exist perturbations from other series or new channels open up to which some members of the series can decay. Possible perturbations from the nearby triplet series are suspected for causing the broadening of the 5d and 7s levels.     

Dark state vibronic coupling in the Ã(2Π) ← ͠X(2Σ+) band of ethynyl radical via high resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy

The high resolution infrared spectrum for the ? ((2)Π) ← ?X ((2)Σ(+)) origin band of jet-cooled ethynyl radical (C(2)H) in the gas phase is reported, which exhibits a strong, parity-specific local perturbation in the upper (2)Π(1/2) state. Based on revised parity assignments of the levels, the perturbing state is unambiguously determined to be (2)Σ(+) symmetry, and thus coupled to the ? ((2)Π) state by ΔK = ±1 Coriolis interactions. By incorporating Σ-Π Coriolis coupling into the unperturbed Hamiltonian (containing only rotational, spin-rotational, spin-orbit, and lambda-doubling contributions), we are now able to fit the observed (2)Π-(2)Σ(+) origin band to a sub Doppler experimental uncertainty of 15 MHz (0.0005 cm(-1)). In addition, the observation of pairs of transitions to mixed states permits determination of the band origin (ν(pert)) and rotational constant (B(pert)) for the "dark"(2)Σ(+) state, which prove to be in remarkably quantitative agreement with full vibronic predictions of Tarroni and Carter as well as UV dispersed fluorescence studies of Hsu et al. This represents an important benchmark in mapping out non-Born-Oppenheimer vibronic interactions and energy level structure in a polyatomic combustion radical system, an understanding of which will be key to modeling chemical reactions in both terrestrial and astronomical environments.     

Reinvestigation of the electronic spectroscopy of the Au-Ar complex

The Au-Ar complex is reinvestigated employing resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. Spectra are reported, corresponding to the atomic transition Au(6p<--6s). This electronic excitation yields (2)Pi and (2)Sigma(+) states of Au-Ar, which interact under the influence of spin-orbit coupling. The spectra are consistent with strong sigma-pi mixing induced by the large spin-orbit coupling of Au, leading to strong interaction of the two Omega=12 states, which arise from the Ar((1)S(0))+Au((2)P(12,32)) asymptotes, and the consequent formation of a "shelf" on the outer wall of the lowest Omega=12 state. In addition, high-level ab initio calculations are reported on the ground electronic state, X (2)Sigma(+), including extrapolation to the basis set limit.     

One photon two electron excitations between doubly excited states of helium

Variational calculations using Hylleraas coordinates have been performed for the first time for estimating the energies of 3dnf((1,3)D(o)) state of helium for n=4,5,6. We predict absorption peaks at 12.219, 12.647, and 12.857 eV for the (3)D(o) series converging to N=3 ionization threshold of He(+) which can be expected to be observed in the experiment of single photon double excitation of lowest (3)P(e) state of helium placed in synchrotron radiation.     

Ultraviolet photodissociation of iodine monochloride (ICl) at 235, 250, and 265 nm

ICl photolysis in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum (235-265 nm) is studied using the Slice Imaging technique. The Cl?((2)P(1/2))/Cl((2)P(3/2)) and the I?((2)P(1/2))/I((2)P(3/2)) branching ratio between the I((2)P(3/2)) + Cl((2)P(3/2))∕Cl?((2)P(1/2)) and I?((2)P(1/2)) + Cl((2)P(3∕/2))∕Cl?((2)P(1/2)) channels is extracted from the respective iodine and chlorine photofragment images. We find that ground state chlorine atoms (Cl((2)P(3/2))) are formed nearly exclusively with excited state iodine atoms (I?((2)P(1/2))), while excited spin-orbit chlorine atoms (Cl?((2)P(1/2))) are concurrently produced only with ground state iodine atoms (I((2)P(3/2))). We conclude that photolysis of ICl in this UV region is a relatively "clean" source of spin-orbit excited chlorine atoms that can be used in crossed molecular beam experiments.     

Photoelectron imaging of helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms

Helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms were photoionized by using VUV synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Light Source and the resulting photoelectron images were measured. A wide range of He droplet sizes, photon energies, and dopant pick-up conditions was investigated. Significant ionization of dopants was observed at 21.6 eV, the absorption maximum of 2p (1)P1 electronic excited state of He droplets, indicating an indirect ionization mechanism via excitation transfer. The photoelectron images and spectra reveal multiple photoionization mechanisms and pathways for the photoelectrons to escape the droplet. Specifically, they show sets of sharp peaks assigned to two mechanisms for Penning ionization of the dopant by He* in which the photoelectrons leave the droplet with no detectable energy loss, a broad, intense feature representing electrons that undergo significant energy loss, and a small amount of ultraslow electrons that may result from electron trapping at the droplet surface. The droplet-size dependence of the broad, intense feature suggests the development of the conduction band edge in the largest droplets seen here ((N) approximately 250,000).     

Spectroscopy of nS, nP, and nD Rydberg series of Cs atoms on helium nanodroplets

The preparation of an artificial superatom consisting of a positive charge inside a superfluid helium nanodroplet and an electron in an orbital surrounding the droplet is of fundamental interest and represents an experimental challenge. In this work, nanodroplets of several thousand helium atoms are doped with single caesium (Cs) atoms. While on the droplet, the Cs valence electron is excited in two steps through an intermediate state into nS, nP, and nD states. The excitation is monitored by laser induced fluorescence or, for high principal quantum numbers, by resonant three-photon-ionization. On-droplet Rydberg excitations are resolved up to about n = 20. The energies are compared with those of free Cs atom Rydberg states and quantum defects as well as the on-droplet ionization threshold are derived.     

Observation of new Rydberg series in the many-electron transition region of N(2)

Fluorescence excitation spectra produced through photoexcitation of N(2) using synchrotron radiation in the spectral region between 50 and 62.5 nm have been obtained with a resolution of 0.004?nm. A broadband detector (in the 115-180 nm region) was employed to monitor fluorescence originated from neutral excited atomic nitrogen fragments which are produced through direct dissociation processes and predissociation from the well-known many-electron excited Rydberg states. We have identified a new Rydberg series (2 (2)Π(g)) 4sσ, a better resolved Rydberg (D (2)Π(g)) npσ series, and also the prominent Codling series converging to the D (2)Π(g), and C (2)Σ(u) (+) states of N(2) (+), respectively. By normalizing our relative fluorescence intensities to previously measured absolute fluorescence cross-section data we obtain the cross-section data of undispersed fluorescence in the 115-180?nm region. The fluorescence quantum yields for the present photodissociative excitation processes are found to be less than 0.05. The present results may provide important data for our understanding of competitions among the various decay channels of the many-electron transition states of N(2).     

Mode specific photodissociation of CS2(+) via the A2Π(u) state: a time-sliced velocity map imaging study

The vibrationally mediated photodissociation of CS(2)(+) cations via the A(2)Π(u)(ν(1),ν(2),0) state has been studied by means of the velocity map ion imaging technique. The measurements were made with a double resonance strategy. The CS(2)(+) cations were prepared by a (3 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization method. The photo-fragment excitation spectrum of S(+) was recorded by scanning the photolysis laser via the A(2)Π(u)(ν(1),ν(2),0) state. By fixing the photolysis laser wavelength at the specific vibrational state, the (1 + 1) photodissociation images of S(+) photofragments from numerous vibrationally mediated states have been accumulated. The translational energy release spectra derived from the resulting images imply that the co-fragments, CS radicals, are both vibrationally and rotationally excited. The one-photon photodissociation without the vibrational state selection has also been performed. Comparing the vibrationally mediated photodissociation with one-photon photodissociation observations, clear evidence of vibrational state control of the photodissociation process is observed.     

1 + 1] photodissociation of CS(2)(+)(X̃2Π(g)) via the vibrationally mediated B̃2Σ(u)+ state: multichannels exhibiting and mode specific dynamics

Dissociation dynamics of CS(2)(+) vibrationally mediated via its B?(2)Σ(u)(+) state, was studied using the time-sliced velocity map imaging technique. The parent CS(2)(+) cation was prepared in its X?(2)Π(g) ground state through a [3 + 1] resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization process, via the 4pσ(3)Π(u) intermediate Rydberg state of neutral CS(2) molecule at 483.14 nm. CS(2)(+)(X?(2)Π(g)) was dissociated by a [1?+?1] photoexcitation mediated via the vibrationally selected B? state over a wavelength range of 267-283 nm. At these wavelengths the C?(2)Σ(g)(+) and D?(2)Σ(u)(+) states are excited, followed by numerous S(+) and CS(+) dissociation channels. The S(+) channels specified as three distinct regions were shown with vibrationally resolved structures, in contrast to the less-resolved structures being presented in the CS(+) channels. The average translational energy releases were obtained, and the S(+)∕CS(+) branching ratios with mode specificity were measured. Two types of dissociation mechanisms are proposed. One mechanism is the direct coupling of the C? and D? states with the repulsive satellite states leading to the fast photofragmentation. The other mechanism is the internal conversion of the C? and D? states to the B? state, followed by the slow fragmentation occurred via the coupling with the repulsive satellite states.     

Time-slice velocity-map ion imaging studies of the photodissociation of NO in the vacuum ultraviolet region

The time-slice velocity-map ion imaging and the resonant four-wave mixing techniques are combined to study the photodissociation of NO in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region around 13.5 eV above the ionization potential. The neutral atoms, i.e., N((2)D(o)), O((3)P(2)), O((3)P(1)), O((3)P(0)), and O((1)D(2)), are probed by exciting an autoionization line of O((1)D(2)) or N((2)D(o)), or an intermediate Rydberg state of O((3)P(0,1,2)). Old and new autoionization lines of O((1)D(2)) and N((2)D(o)) in this region have been measured and newer frequencies are given for them. The photodissociation channels producing N((2)D(o)) + O((3)P), N((2)D(o)) + O((1)D(2)), N((2)D(o)) + O((1)S(0)), and N((2)P(o)) + O((3)P) have all been identified. This is the first time that a single VUV photon has been used to study the photodissociation of NO in this energy region. Our measurements of the angular distributions show that the recoil anisotropy parameters (β) for all the dissociation channels except for the N((2)D(o)) + O((1)S(0)) channel are minus at each of the wavelengths used in the present study. Thus direct excitation of NO by a single VUV photon in this energy region leads to excitation of states with Σ or Δ symmetry (ΔΩ = ±1), explaining the observed perpendicular transition.