Far infrared laser lines produced by methanol and its isotopic species: A review

Methanol (CH₃OH) is considered today one of the most important active media for the generation of laser radiation in the far-infrared (FIR) spectral region. Together with ten of its other isotopic species, it is responsible for the major part of the laser lines generated by the optical pumping technique. Due to the extreme importance of those molecules as laser generators, we understood that there was a necessity of a comprehensive work which would include as much pratical information as possible about each line.Chang et al⁽¹⁾ early recognized methanol as a source of strong FIR laser lines. Since then, more than 100 papers were published containing information about new laser emission. Recently, Moruzzi et al⁽¹¹⁴⁾ presented a review of 575 lines produced by¹²CH₃OH. In the present paper, we have extended the review to the various isotopic modifications of this molecule (namely¹³CH₃OH, CD₃OH,¹³CD₃OH, CD₃OD,¹³CD₃OD, CH₃OD, CH ₃ ¹⁸ OH, CH₂DOH, CH₂DOD and CHD₂OH), a total of nearly 2000 lines with wavelengths ranging from 19µm to 3030µm.     

A review of optically pumped far-infrared laser lines from methanol isotopes

The technique of optical pumping in polar molecules is the most efficient for Far-Infrared (FIR) laser generation, providing also a versatile and powerful tool for molecular spectroscopy in this spectral region. Methanol (CH₃OH) and its isotopic varieties are the best media for optically pumped FIR laser, with over thousand lines observed, and the most widely used for investigations and applications. In this sense, it is important organize and make available catalogues of FIR laser lines as complete as possible. Since the last critical reviews of 1984 [1] on methanol and its isotopic varieties [2,3,4], over hundred papers have been published dealing with hundreds of new FIR laser lines. In 1992 a review of FIR laser lines from CH₃OH was presented [5]. In this communication we extend this work to the other methanol isotopes, namely CH₃OD, CD₃OH, CD₃OD,¹³CH₃OH,¹³CD₃OH,¹³CD₃OD, CH₃ ¹⁸OH, CH₂DOH, CHD₂OH and CH₂DOD.Work supported by FAPESP, CNPq, FAEP-Brasil, and CNR-Italia     

Rotational fine structure of the perpendicular band, ν7, of ethane-1,1,1-d3

The gas-phase infrared spectrum of CH₃CD₃ in the region of the perpendicular C---H stretching band, ν₇, near 3000 cm⁻¹ has been studied under a spectral resolution of 0.025 cm⁻¹, increased to 0.015 cm⁻¹ by deconvolution. An assignment of lines in the subbands KΔK = +15 to −3 is proposed, and their upper-state constants are reported. The interpretation of the effective rotational constants of the individual subbands is complicated by a strong perturbation.     

Anharmonic force field for methanol

An ab initio quartic anharmonic force field for methanol has been calculated at the equilibrium position using the CCSD(T) method for the structure and the harmonic potential energy surface, and the MP4(SDQ) method for the anharmonic part of the surface. A triple zeta basis set was employed with symmetrized curvilinear internal valence coordinates in all calculations. The internal coordinate force field constants have been transformed into force constants in the dimensionless normal coordinate representation for various isotopomers. Vibrational term values for CH₃OH, CH₃OD, CD₃OH, and CD₃OD have been obtained using second order perturbation theory. Particular care has been devoted to the inclusion of Fermi resonance interactions between different vibrational states. A good accuracy has been achieved in the calculation of the fundamentals for all the isotopomers, the mean absolute error being 5.8 cm^?1.     

The reaction of CH3 + O2: experimental determination of the rate coefficients for the product channels at high temperatures

The reaction of methyl radicals (CH₃) with molecular oxygen (O₂) has been investigated in high-temperature shock tube experiments. The overall rate coefficient, k₁ = k_1a + k_1b, and individual rate coefficients for the two high-temperature product channels, (1a) producing CH₃O + O and (1b) producing CH₂O + OH, were determined using ultra-lean mixtures of CH₃I and O₂ in Ar/He. Narrow-linewidth UV laser absorption at 306.7 nm was used to measure OH concentrations, for which the normalized rise time is sensitive to the overall rate coefficient k₁ but relatively insensitive to the branching ratio of the individual channels and to secondary reactions. Atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy measurements of O-atoms were used for a direct measurement of channel (1a). Through the combination of measurements using the two different diagnostics, rate coefficient expressions for both channels were determined. Over the temperature range 1590–2430 K, k_1a = 6.08 × 10⁷T^1.54 exp (−14005/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k_1b = 68.6 T^2.86 exp (−4916/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The overall rate coefficient is in close agreement with a recent ab initio calculation and one other shock tube study, while comparison of k_1a and k_1b to these and other experimental studies yields mixed results. In contrast to one recent experimental study, reaction (1b) is found to be the dominant channel over the entire experimental temperature range.     

Pure Rotational Raman Spectra of Vapor Phase Methanols

Abstract

The rotational Raman spectra of four vapor phase isotopic methanols, CH₃OH, CH₃OD, CD₃OH and CD₃OD, have been reported for the first time in the wavenumber regions from 5 to 100–120 cm^?1. The major parts of the spectra consist of bands equispaced at 3.19, 3.04, 2.56 and 2.46 cm^?1 intervals, respectively, and have been interpreted as the pure rotational S-branch transitions.     

The Microwave Spectrum of m-Tolunitrile: Methyl Internal Rotation and N Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling

The microwave spectrum of m-tolunitrile (3-methylbenzonitrile, m-C₆H₄CH₃CN) has been investigated in the frequency range from 1 to 4 and 8 to 26.5 GHz. The spectra in the two lowest states of internal methyl rotation (m = 0, ±1) were recorded by means of pulsed molecular beam Fourier transform microwave (MB-FTMW) spectrometers. The interpretation of the spectra was based on an asymmetric frame–symmetric top Hamiltonian with inclusion of centrifugal distortion terms and first-order contributions from ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling. A least-squares analysis yielded the rotational constants A = 3295.9103(10) MHz, B = 1199.1188(2) MHz, C = 883.9223(1) MHz, all elements of the nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor χ_aa = −3.626(1) MHz, χ_bb = 1.684(1) MHz, χ_cc = 1.943(1) MHz, and χ_ab = −1.870(3) MHz, as well as the threefold barrier to internal rotation, V₃ = 14.2 cm⁻¹, and the angle between the internal rotor axis and the principal moment of inertia a axis, θ = 42.66°, using fixed values for the sixfold barrier term V₆ (−11 cm⁻¹) and the moment of inertia of the methyl top I_α (3.16 u Ų).     

Far-infrared internal rotation spectrum of CH3OD and CD3OD

The far-infrared spectra of the Q branches of hindered rotation in CH₃OD and CD₃OD have been investigated in the 80- to 250-cm^?1 spectral region. The theoretical spectra are calculated using the full set of Kirtman constants and are compared with the experimental spectra of resolutions up to 0.13 cm^?1.     

Frequency and efficiency measurements on FIR laser lines close to the N+ 3 P 2−3 P 1 transition

FIR laser lines close to the N^{+ 3} P ₂–³ P ₁ transition at 122 m can be used as a local oscillator for heterodyne detectors. The frequencies of some candidate laser lines from CH₂F₂,¹³CH₃OH, CD₃OD, and CD₃OH have been measured and the output power of the most interesting lines has been optimized.     

An experimental approach to the analysis of electric field gradients in ionic crystals

The spectrum of a partially oriented sample of ethanol has been analysed by making use of the simpler spectra obtained from the species CD₃CH₂OH and CH₃CD₂OH, together with ¹H?{²H} double resonance. With p-ethoxy-benzylidene-p-n-butylaniline (EBBA) as the nematic solvent the dipolar couplings of CH₃ and CH₂ protons with the OH proton can be observed, and their magnitudes are compared with values calculated assuming different models for C-O-H internal rotation. Information on the quadrupole coupling constant tensor elements for CD₃ and CD₂ deuterium nuclei is obtained.     

The vibrational spectra of some isotopic species of propionitrile

The infrared and Raman spectra of CH₃CH₂CN, CH₃CD₂CN, and CD₃CH₂CN, and the infrared spectrum of CH₃CH₂¹³CN were investigated in detail between 6000 and 100 cm⁻¹. Some infrared measurements of other isotopic species are also reported and partial assignments given. All fundamentals of propionitrile-d₀, -d₂, -d₃, and -¹³CN were assigned, together with a large number of mainly binary combination bands for which a general method of assignment is given. Several Fermi resonances were detected and the unperturbed positions of some of the levels involved were calculated. Special attention was paid to the CH stretching vibrations for which persisting wrong assignments exist in the literature, and to the methyl torsion frequencies which were determined for the four isotopic species above. A valence force field was calculated, and the potential energy distribution of the normal vibrations is tabulated.     

Methyl and skeletal torsion interaction in methyl thiolfluoroformate

The microwave spectrum of methyl thiolfluoroformate (FCOSCH₃) is reported for the ground state and seven vibrational satellites. The methyl group is in the syn conformation to the carbonyl group. The dipole moment components are μ_a = 2.89(2) D, μ_b = 0.30(8) D, and μ_c = 0. Spacings of A and E levels due to methyl internal rotation are analyzed for the ground state, the first excited methyl torsional state, and the first excited skeletal torsional state. An anomalous sequence of A and E levels occurring in the latter satellite arises from torsional interaction, according to two-dimensional model calculations. Potential parameters consistent with the three observed level separations are V₃ = 304(5) cm⁻¹, V₆ = 23(1) cm⁻¹ for the methyl torsion and either k = 1.912 or k = 2.936 cm⁻¹ deg⁻² for the skeletal torsional force constant.     

Rotational absorption spectrum of methylene fluoride in the 20–100 cm region

The pure rotational spectrum of CH₂F₂ was recorded in the 20–100 cm⁻¹ spectral range and analyzed to obtain rotation and centrifugal distortion constants. Analysis of the data yielded rotation constants: A = 1.6392173 ± 0.0000015, B = 0.3537342 ± 0.00000033, C = 0.3085387 ± 0.00000027, τ_aaaa = −(7.64 ± 0.46) × 10⁻⁵, τ_bbbb = −(2.076 ± 0.016) × 10⁻⁶, τ_cccc = −(9.29 ± 0.12) × 10⁻⁷, T₁ = (4.89 ± 0.20) × 10⁻⁶, and T₂ = −(1.281 ± 0.016) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹.     

Hydrogen-bonded OH and OD overtone bands and potential energy curve of methanol

The absorption spectra of CH₃OH, CH₃OD, CD₃OH, and CD₃OD as pure liquids and as carbon tetrachloride solutions were measured in the 3,850 – 16,600cm^?1 region. In addition to the various combination bands, the higher overtone bands of the hydrogen-bonded OH stretching vibration of self-associated methanols were observed at ～6470, 9300–9700, and 12,200 – 12,700 cm^?1 with broad half-widths of ～700, ～1200, and ～1800 cm^?1, respectively, and those of the OD stretching vibration, at ～4900, 7200–7400, and 9200–9600 cm^?1 with half-widths of ～370, ～700, and ～1200 cm^?1, respectively. With the aid of the observed frequencies, we determined the single minimum potential energy curve for the hydrogen-bonded OH and OD stretching vibrations of self-associated methanols. Furthermore, the absorption band due to double excitation of two neighboring OH groups linked together by a hydrogen bond was quantitatively analyzed by using the isotopic isolation technique. The double excitation band of CH₃OH as pure liquid was found to appear at 6730 cm^?1 with an absorbance of 0.08 at 1 mm light path length.     

New FIR laser lines from an optically pumped far-infrared laser with isotopic 13C16O2 pumping

A ¹³C¹⁶O₂ laser optically pumping a FIR laser has resulted in 17 new FIR cw emissions from 78.5 μm to 917 μm. The FIR media were: CD₃OD, CH₃OD, CD₃OH, NH₃ and ¹⁵NH₃. Interesting effects have been observed with a combination of NH₃ and CD₃OD resulting in a new FIR emission. Two new FIR emissions at 181.5 μm and 355.5 μm have been observed with a ¹²C¹⁶O₂ laser optically pumping CD₃OD.     

Analysis of the 2ν3 band of CD3F at 5.06 μm recorded under high resolution

The 2ν₃(A₁) band of ¹²CD₃F near 5.06 μm has been recorded with a resolution of 20–24 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. The value of the parameter (α^B − α^A) for this band was found to be very small and, therefore, the K structure of the R(J) and P(J) manifolds was unresolved for J < 15 and only partially resolved for larger J values. The band was analyzed using standard techniques and values for the following constants determined: ν₀ = 1977.178(3) cm⁻¹, B″ = 0.68216(9) cm⁻¹, D″_J = 1.10(30) × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹, α^B = (B″ − B′) = 3.086(7) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, and β^J = (D″_J − D′_J) = −3.24(11) × 10⁻⁷ cm⁻¹. A value of α^A = (A″ − A′) = 2.90(5) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ has been obtained through band contour simulations of the R(J) and P(J) multiplets.     

The 2ν8 Band of CH3CN

The overtone band 2ν⁰₈ of CH₃CN around 720 cm⁻¹ has been measured on a Bruker Fourier transform spectrometer at a resolution of 0.003 cm⁻¹. Only the parallel band was observed, but due to the l(2, 2) resonance, ΔK = −2 lines leading to the v₈ = 2, l₈ = −2 levels with K = 1-3 could be seen. More information for the l₈ = ±2 component of the vibrational state v₈ = 2 was evaluated from the hot band 2ν^±2₈ - ν^±1₈. Altogether more than 1000 lines were assigned. In the fit pure rotational lines from literature were also combined. Among the results the anomalous A₀ - A′ values 4.6722(13) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ for the 2ν⁰₈ band and 7.0324(32) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ for the 2ν^±2₈ band are striking.     

Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of theYΣ–XΠiTransition of CuO

TheY²Σ⁺–X²Π_inear-infrared electronic transition of CuO was observed at high resolution for the first time. The spectrum was recorded with the Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the McMath–Pierce Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak. The excited CuO molecules were produced in a low pressure copper hollow cathode sputter with a slow flow of oxygen. Constants for theY²Σ⁺states of CuO are:T₀= 7715.47765(54) cm⁻¹,B= 0.4735780(28) cm⁻¹,D= 0.822(12) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹,H= 0.46(10) × 10⁻¹⁰cm⁻¹, γ = −0.089587(42) cm⁻¹, γ_D= 0.1272(79) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹,b_F= 0.12347(22) cm⁻¹, andc= 0.0550(74) cm⁻¹. ImprovedX²Π_iconstants are also presented.     

The ν9 Band of Propyne-d3

A high-resolution Fourier transform spectrum of the ν₉ band of CD₃CCH has been recorded at an apodized resolution of 0.004 cm−1 and analyzed. More than 1700 lines in the spectrum have been assigned and the parameters of the ν₉ state derived. The standard deviation of the fit was 0.00034 cm⁻¹. In order to achieve this fit it was necessary to include l-type doubling interaction and Fermi resonance between ν₉ and the E component of 2ν₁₀.     

The microwave spectrum of 1-phosphabut-3-ene-1-yne, CH2=CHCP

The new molecule 1-phosphabut-3-ene-1-yne, CH₂=CHCP, produced by pyrolyzing prop-1-ene-3-phosphorus dichloride, CH₂=CHCH₂PCl₂, was detected by microwave spectroscopy. The analysis of the rotational transitions indicates that the molecule is planar with constants: A₀ = 46 694(24), B₀ = 2807.7100(21), and C₀ = 2645.8356(21) MHz. These rotational constants indicate that the structure of the vinyl group is essentially the same as that in CH₂=CHCN and CH₂=CHCCH; r(C---C) = 1.432 Å and (C=C---C) = 123.9°. The dipole moment parameters are μ_A = 1.181(2), μ_B = 0.074(1), and μ = 1.183(2) D. The vibrational satellite spectra for the C---CP bending modes indicate that ν₁₁(a′) = 184 ± 30 cm⁻¹ and ν₁₅(a″) = 263 ± 30 cm⁻¹.