Analysis of the molecular bands of D2H and H2D at 5600 Å

Spectral simulation was used to analyze the molecular rovibrational bands of D₂H and H₂D at 5600 Å. These bands were previously measured by the ion beam neutralization method. They were assigned to the electronic 3p²B₁ ? 2s²A₁ and vibrational (ν - ν″) = (0, 0, 0,-0, 0, 0) transitions. Least squares fits to the experimental line-positions were made to determine the asymmetric rotator constants A, B and C for the 2s²A₁ and 3p²B₁ ν = 0 states of D₂H and H₂D, hitherto unknown. Lorentz line-profiles were assumed for the D₂H and H₂D rotational lines, whose widths are mainly governed by the lifetimes of the lower states. The bands at 5600 Å were simulated and the 2s²A₁ state lifetimes were estimated to be σ ≥ 0.5 ± 0.2 ps for D₂H and σ ≥ 0.4 ± 0.2 ps for H₂D. Vibrational constants of D₃ and D₂H in the 2s²A₁ states are determined from the positions of the 0-0 and 0-1 vibrational bands given in respective experimental spectra previously measured. For the first time the vibrational constants ω₁ and ω₂ of the 2s²A₁ state of H₂D were estimated from the positions of the 0-0 and 0-1 band maxima. These vibrational constants are compared with the corresponding vibrational constants of their ions.     

Laser spectroscopy ofD3

The D₃ was formed in a hollow cathode discharge in D₂. Transitions between the states 3p²E′, 3p²A″₂ and 2S²A′₁ were stimulated by dye-laser radiation. The resonances were monitored by observng the laser-induced change of the emission from selected levels of D₃. Many new lines were observed and assigned.     

Lifetimes of the vibronic Ã2A1 states of H2O+ and of the 3Πi (υ′ = 0) state of OH+

Using the delayed coincidence technique, lifetimes have been measured for some Σ and Π vibronic òA₁ states of H₂O⁺ and for the ³Π_i (υ′ = 0) state of OH⁺ by analysing the decay curves of the òA₁(0, υ′₂, 0) ? X?²B₁ (0, υ″₂, 0) and the ³Π_i(υ′ = 0) ? ³Σ^?(υ″ = 0) emission intensities respectively. The excited molecular ionic states are produced via excitation of H₂O molecules by 200 eV electrons. For H₂O⁺(òA₁) the vibronic Σ levels with υ′₂ = 13 and 15 and the vibronic Π levels with υ′₂ = 12 and 14 have been considered. The radiative lifetimes obtained for these levels have about the same value, namely 10.5(±1) × 10^?6 s. The radiative lifetime for the OH⁺(³Π_iυ′= 0) state is 2.5(±0.3) × 10^?6 s. The lifetimes found in this work for H₂O⁺(òA₁) and OH⁺(³Π_i,υ′= 0) are about ten and three times longer respectively than the corresponding lifetimes given by other investigators [1,2]. The probable reason for this discrepancy is that in the other experiments no attention has been paid to the presence of a large space charge effect. This effect is caused by the positive ions which are created by the primary electron beam.     

Lifetimes of the vibronic Ã2A1 states of H2S+

Lifetimes have been measured for the Σ and Π vibronic òA₁ states of H₂S⁺ by studying the decay curves of the òA₁ (0, υ′₂, 0) → X? ²B₁ (0, υ″₂, 0) emission bands. The vibronic òA₁ states are produced via excitation of H₂S molecules by 150 eV electrons. The Σ sublevels 1 ? υ′₂ ? 7 and the Π sublevels 3 ? υ′₂ ? 6 have been considered. Predissociation occurs in the Σ sublevels for υ′₂ ? 7 and in the Π sublevels for υ′₂ ? 6. The obtained radiative lifetimes for the non-predissociated Σ and Π sublevels are around 4.2(±0.4) × 10^?6 s and 5.6(±0.5) × 10^?6 s respectively. For the predissociated Σ(0, 7, 0) and Π(0, 6, 0) levels the corresponding lifetimes are 2.3(±0.3) × 10^?6 s and 1.6(±0.3) × 10^?6 s respectively. The rate constant for collisional deactivation (quenching) of the vibronic òA₁ states by H₂S molecules was found to equal 2.3(±0.3) × 10^?9 cm³ mol^?1 s^?1.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of radiative lifetimes in neutral gallium

Using laser spectroscopic techniques the natural radiative lifetimes of 4s ² n ₁ s ² S and 4s ² n ₂ d ² D states of neutral gallium have been measured forn ₁ = 6 to 11 andn ₂ = 4 to 9. These states, as well as previously measured4s ² np ² P states, have been investigated theoretically using multi-configuration Hartree-Fock calculations. Oscillator strengths to all lower-lying states have been calculated and theoretical lifetimes of the investigated states evaluated. The² D sequence is strongly influenced by the 4s4p ^{2 2} D perturber, and strong cancellation effects in the radiative decay are observed both theoretically and experimentally.     

Lifetimes of the 4s4p 3 P 1 and 4s3d 1 D 2 states of Ca I

The lifetimes of the 4s4p ³ P ₁ and 4s3d ¹ D ₂ metastable states of Ca have been studied using the time-of-flight technique. Two kinds of observations were performed. First, the exponential decay of the fluorescence, using a (continuous) dc discharge for excitation and then the velocity distribution of the radiating atoms, using a pulsed discharge, were measured. From the combined results of these measurements the lifetimes were derived. The lifetimes of the 4s4p ³ P ₁ and 4s3d ¹ D ₂ states of Ca are determined to be 0.57±0.03 ms and 1.5±0.4 ms, respectively.     

Determination of radiative lifetimes in neutral nitrogen using short laser pulses from a distributed feedback dye laser

Radiative lifetimes were determined for two short-lived states in neutral nitrogen. Following photo-dissociation and two-photon excitation employing the same UV source, excitation to higher states was performed with a distributed feedback dye laser (DFDL). The lifetimes were found to be τ(2p ²4d ⁴ D _7/2)=17(3) ns and τ(2p ²5s ⁴ P _5/2)=22(3) ns.     

Lifetime measurements of the 3d 94s(1 D) 4p configuration of Cu I

The radiative lifetimes of the levels in the 3d ⁹4s(¹ D)4p configuration of Cu I are measured. The levels are excited from the metastable 3d ⁹4s ^{2 2} D _3/2,5/2 levels. The metastable Cu atoms are generated in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge. The levels investigated are populated with a 35-ps laser pulse at wavelengths around 220 nm. The laser induced fluorescence signal is detected. The lifetime of the 3d ⁹4s(³ D)4p ⁴ D _1/2 level is also determined by direct excitation from the ground state. A comparison with calculated literature values is given.     

Proton-impact excitation of HeI triplet levels

We investigated the excitation of the λ(1s3d ³ D?1s2p ³ P)=588 nm line of atomic helium by proton and deuteron impact for projectile energies 10 keV≦E _p≦25 keV. In apparent contradiction to Wigner's spin conservation rule, the emission cross section does not vanish. By measuring the intensity of the impact radiation as a function of homogeneous magnetic and electric fields applied to the collision volume, it has been shown thatp- andd-impact excitation of the 1s3d ³ D level of HeI proceeds via 1snl states withl≧3, which populate the 3³ D states by cascade decays. The well-known strong singlet-triplet mixing of these 1snl states enables a population of triplet states in accord with Wigner's rule. Accordingly, we determine the excitation cross section of the 1s4f multiplet from the measured emission cross section of the 588 nm line. The field-dependent signals give evidence that predominantly substates with |m _L|≦1 are excited.     

Collisional de-excitation of the metastableD-states of Ba+ by He,Ne, N2 and H2

The rate constants 〈σ · υ〉 for collisional de-excitation of the metastable 5D states of Ba⁺ ions have been determined in an ion trap experiment. TheD-states are selectively populated by pulsed laser excitation of the 6P _1/2 or 6P _3/2 state and the decay at different background pressures is monitored by the change in fluorescence intensity of the excited ions. From the pressure dependence of the decay constants we calculate the de-excitation rate constants for different collision partners, averaged over the velocity distribution of the trapped ion cloud. For He, Ne, H₂ and N₂ we obtain in the c.m. energy range of 0.1–0.5 eV: 〈σ·υ〉 (He)=3.0±0.2·10^?13cm³/s, 〈σ·υ〉 (Ne)=5.1±0.4·10^?13cm³/s, 〈σ·υ〉 (H₂)=3.7±0.3·10^?11cm³/s, 〈σ·υ〉 (N₂)=4.4±0.3·10^?11cm³/s. The results can be understood qualitatively by a consideration of the ion-atom and ion-molecules interaction potential.     

Lifetimes of triplet state alkylbenzenes in the vapor phase

Rate constants for triplet state decay of C₆H₆, C₆D₆ and 15 alkylbenzenes in the vapor phase have been found, using a flash-sensitized biacetyl phosphorescence technique, to range between 800 s^?1 and ? 18 000 s^?1. Only benzene has a significant positive activation energy for decay. Kinetic and spectroscopic evidence supports a photoisomerization decay channel in t-butylbenzene. Comparison of lifetimes with molecular size shows that increased density of rotational levels does not account for rapid decay of the triplet state. This contradicts a recent suggestion to explain short lifetimes of triplet state aromatic hydrocarbons in the vapor phase, relative to the long lifetimes of the same molecules in low temperat matrices. Evidence suggests that the dominant decay paths for triplet state alkylbenzenes are different in room temperature vapors and low temperature matrices.     

Configuration interaction in the 6s n d 1 D 2 and 6s n s 1 S 0 states of Yb probed by lifetime measurements

Radiative lifetimes in the even parity 6s n d ¹ D ₂ (n=6?13) and 6s n s ¹ S ₀ (n=8?14) level series of neutral Yb have been measured. In contrast to a monotonicn*³ behaviour which is expected in the absence of configuration interaction a drastic decrease of the lifetime data was observed in the vicinity of multiply excited states. In addition, for certain levels a strong increase of the lifetime values has been found which may be ascribed to destructive interference due to configuration mixing which can also affect the branching ratios of the radiative decay of these levels.     

Nanoseconds UV laser study of radiationless deactivation from upper electronic excited states in solution: Tb3+

Using 25 ns half width pulses of a frequency-quadrupled Nd laser at 265 nm Tb³⁺ perchlorate in D₂O solution, or in borate glass, was excited to high electronic states and the fluorescence on transition from the upper ⁵D₃ and lower ⁵D₄ excited states to various sub-levels of the lowest ⁷F state were measured. The appropriate energy gap spacing of this rare earth ion results in lifetimes which enabled us to observe the decay of ³D₃ as well as the growing in and decay of ⁵D₄. Radiationless processes from ⁵D₃ direct to ⁷F or cascading to ⁵D₄ are discussed and correlated with previous theoretical and experimental results on related systems involving the interaction of the non-complexed solvated ion with the medium, and compared with related phenomena in glassy solids.     

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence and “2+1” multiphoton ionization of silicon atoms

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence and “2+1” multiphoton ionization detection of silicon (³P_^j″,¹D₂) atoms was accomplished using the 4 ³P_J'←3 ³P_j″, 4 ³S₁→ 3 ³P_J′, and the 4 ¹D₂→ 3 ¹D₂ resonant two-photon transitions. Silicon atoms were produced in their ground ³P_J″ (J″ = 0,1,2) and first singlet ¹D₂ states by the multiphoton dissociation of Si(CH₃)₄ in the wavelength region 400–460 nm. Line strength intensities for the two-photon transitions originating from the 3 ³P_J″ (J″ = 0,1,2) states were calculated and compared to experimental values determining that the silicon (³P_J″) atoms were produced in a statistical population distribution.     

Radiative and autoionization rates of the metastable 24 P J 0 states in lithiumlike neon

The delayed X-ray and electron emission from metastable states in fast, foil excited neon ions has been investigated. High resolution X-ray and electron spectroscopy at calibrated relative detection efficiencies was applied to determine fluorescence yields for the radiative decay of the (1s2s2p)⁴P _J ⁰ , J=1/2, 3/2, 5/2 states in NeVIII. Using measured total lifetimes corrected for cascading effects the forbidden radiative and autoionization rates were determined.     

Lifetime of the 4D 3/2 and 4D 5/2 metastable states in Sr II

Sr⁺ ions were confined in a r.f. quadrupole trap for times of the order of 30 min. The metastable 4D states were populated via laser excitation of the 5P states. The weak quadrupole transition rate into the 5S _1/2 ground state at 674 and 687 nm was deduced from observation of the exponential decay. At background pressures above 10^?7 mbar the radiative decay is dominated by collisional quenching. Extrapolation of the observed decay rate to zero background pressure yields the radiative lifetimes. At pressures around 10^?6 mbar fine structure mixing collisions between the 4D states have been observed, which lead to corrections of the extrapolated lifetimes. As the final result we obtain 395±38 ms for 4D _3/2 and 345±33 ms for 4D _5/2. These results are somewhat higher than theoretical predictions.     

Quantum chemical ab initio calculations for excited states of F IV

Quantum chemical ab initio calculations have been performed for the ground state and for several excited states of the F³⁺ ion (F IV). Three levels of accuracy have been used: Frozen-core SCF calculations (FRC-SCF) to determine orbital energies ε _nl and quantum defects δ _l for excited Rydberg orbitalsnl; frozen-core SCF followed by CI calculations (FRC-CI) which account for multiplet splittings and configuration mixings, and multi-configuration coupled-electron-pair approximation (MC-CEPA) calculations which include dynamic correlation effects. The accuracy of the calculated excitation energies is in the order of 5000 cm^?1 at the FRC-CI level and in the order of 500 cm^?1 at the MC-CEPA level. This latter error amounts to about 0.1% for excitation energies in the range of 400000 to 600000 cm^?1. The MC-CEPA calculations have been performed for 17 experimentally known states and for 14 experimentally unknown states, in particular for the configurations 2s2p ² (² D)3s, 2s 2p ²(² S)3s, 2s ² 2p 4p, and 2s ² 2p 5p.     

Optical and luminescence properties of Dy3+ ions in phosphate based glasses

Phosphate glasses with compositions of 44P₂O₅ + 17K₂O + 9Al₂O₃ + (30 − x)CaF₂ + xDy₂O₃ (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mol %) were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), optical absorption, emission and decay measurements. The observed absorption bands were analyzed by using the free-ion Hamiltonian (H_FI) model. The Judd–Ofelt (JO) analysis has been performed and the intensity parameters (Ω_λ, λ = 2, 4, 6) were evaluated in order to predict the radiative properties of the excited states. From the emission spectra, the effective band widths (Δλ_eff), stimulated emission cross-sections (σ(λ_p)), yellow to blue (Y/B) intensity ratios and chromaticity color coordinates (x, y) have been determined. The fluorescence decays from the ⁴F_9/2 level of Dy³⁺ ions were measured by monitoring the intense ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 transition (486 nm). The experimental lifetimes (τ_exp) are found to decrease with the increase of Dy³⁺ ions concentration due to the quenching process. The decay curves are perfectly single exponential at lower concentrations and gradually changes to non-exponential for higher concentrations. The non-exponential decay curves are well fitted to the Inokuti–Hirayama (IH) model for S = 6, which indicates that the energy transfer between the donor and acceptor is of dipole–dipole type. The systematic analysis of revealed that the energy transfer mechanism strongly depends on Dy³⁺ ions concentration and the host glass composition.     

Analysis of the Jahn-Teller effect in then p 2 E′ Rydberg series of H3 and D3

Spectroscopic signatures of Jahn-Teller (JT) coupling in then p _x,y ² E′ Rydberg series of H₃ and D₃ are analyzed within a simple multi-channel-quantum-defect-type model. The JT coupling constant has been inferred from existing ab initio calculations of the potential-energy surfaces of low Rydberg states of H₃. The model predicts pronounced resonant perturbations in Rydberg members with intermediaten (n=5–7) as well as strong JT-induced autoionization in absorption and ion-yield spectra from vibrationally excited initial levels. The JT-induced effects are shown to exhibit a characteristic dependence on the vibrational angular momentum of the bending mode in the initial state.     

Luminescence in near-thermal charge exchange. II. He+ + H2O and He+ + D2O

An ICR spectrometer fitted with synchronous photon counting equipment is used to study the emission produced by near-thermal (? 0.1 eV) collisions between He⁺ and H₂O (D₂). Within the investigated wavelength region, 185 to 500 nm, the only significant emission features are the A³Π (υ' ? 3) → X³Σ^? bands in OH⁺ and OD⁺, and the A²Σ⁺ → X²Π(0.0) band in OH and, possibly, in OD. The corresponding excitation rate constants represent only ? 2% of the total He⁺/H₂O (D₂O) charge transfer. The resonant electron-jump model for thermal-energy charge exchange is discussed in the light of recent information on the He⁺/H₂O reaction and on the excited states of H₂O⁺ and their excitation by electron and photon impact on H₂O (D₂O).