Two-color excitation of NO in a supersonic free jet. Autoionization of high rydberg states

High Rydberg states of NO above the ionization limit have been measured for the isolated molecule in a supersonic free jet by two-color multiphoton ionization. Three Rydberg series (ns, np and nf) were identified, which appeared by rotational and the vibrational autoionization. The rotational structures of the 13s(υ = 1), 13p(υ = 1) and 12f(υ = 1) states have been analyzed in detail. The fluorescence dip spectra for the intermediate A²Σ⁺(3sσ) state have been measured simultaneously and the cross sections of the one-photon absorption to the high Rydberg states from the A²Σ⁺(υ = 1) state have been determined.     

First observation of the M 2Σ+ → E2Σ+ (0—0) transition in NO

The emission spectrum of NO excited by electric discharge has been recorded with a high-resolution Fourier transform interferometer. Strong perturbations are observed in the spectrum of the transition M²Σ⁺→ E²Σ⁺ (0—0), due to mixing of the Rydberg state M²Σ⁺(v = 0) with valence states B²Π(v = 22, 23) and L²Π(v = 3). Accurate energies for the M²Σ⁺ rotational levels are given.     

Semidiffuse states of diatomic molecules: Configuration interaction studies of the lowest 2Σ+ and 2Δ states of NS,SiF, and CCl

It has been shown by ab initio configuration-interaction methods that the lowest ²Σ⁺ states of NS and SiF are ‘semidiffuse’ states, like the B ²Σ⁺ state of PO. The lowest ²Σ⁺ state of CCl also appears to be semidiffuse, although here the situation is not so clear. Semidiffuse states require diffuse orbitals in the wavefunction, but they are not Rydberg states. The second ²Σ⁺ state of each molecule is shown to be the lowest ns Rydberg state, whereas the third ²Σ⁺ state is a valence state for NS and CCl, and a 4po Rydberg state for SiF. The lowest ²δ state of each molecule derives from the 7σ → 3π valence configuration. Comparison with available experimental information shows, in general, good agreement.     

Theoretical study of electronic structure of rhodium mononitride and interpretation of experimental spectra

Potential energy curves of 22 electronic states of RhN have been calculated by the complete active space second‐order perturbation theory method. The X¹Σ₀⁺ is assigned as the ground state, and the first excited state a³Π₀+ is 978 cm^?1 higher. The ¹Δ(I) and B¹Σ⁺ states are located at 9521 and 13,046 cm^?1 above the ground state, respectively. The B¹Σ⁺ state should be the excited state located 12,300 cm^?1 above the ground state in the experimental study. Moreover, two excited states, C¹Π and b³Σ⁺, are found 14,963 and 15,082 cm^?1 above the X¹Σ⁺ state, respectively. The transition C¹Π₁–X¹Σ₀⁺ may contribute to the experimentally observed bands headed at 15,071 cm^?1. There are two excited states, D¹Δ and E¹Σ⁺, situate at 20,715 and 23,145 cm^?1 above the X¹Σ⁺ state. The visible bands near 20,000 cm^?1 could be generated by the electronic transitions D¹Δ₂–a³Π₁ and E¹Σ⁺₀–X¹Σ⁺₀ because of the spin–orbit coupling effect. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Some ab initio calculations related to the predissociation of the C2Σu+ state of N2+

Ab initio calculations in the “first-order wavefunction” CI approximation have been performed for several states of N₂⁺ with ²Σ_u⁺, ²Σ_u^?, ⁴Π_u symmetry. A calculation of the electronic factor of the vibronic interaction between the B²Σ_u⁺ and C²Σ_u⁺ states seems to support the suggestion of Tellinghuisen and Albritton that the C state is predissociated by the continuum of the B state through nuclear momentum coupling.     

Ab initio study of the molecular vibrations and electronic structure of the X,B, D and F2Σ+ states of AlO

Molecular vibrations and electronic structure of the X²Σ⁺, B²Σ⁺, D²Σ⁺, and F²Σ⁺ states of AlO are studied by carrying out ab initio configuration interaction calculations and molecular vibration calculations using accurate potential energy functions. An avoided crossing between the D²Σ⁺ and F²Σ⁺ potential energy curves occurs in the neighborhood of 4.0 a₀ and results in irregular vibrational levels of the D and F²Σ⁺ states. The vibrational constants for the F²Σ⁺ state are predicted from the vibrational levels not involved in the irregularity. Configuration mixing is important in describing the B, D, and F²Σ⁺ states. The F²Σ⁺ state at and around its well minimum and the D and F²Σ⁺ states in the avoided crossing region are characterized in terms of their main configurations and dipole moment functions.     

Ab initio spectroscopy and thermochemistry of the BN molecule

The lowest¹Σ⁺ and³Π states of the BN molecule have been studied using the quadratic configuration interaction method and (spdf) basis sets. The lowest¹Σ⁺ and³Π states lie extremely closely (T _e≈100 cm^?1) together; it is not clear which is the ground state. The very small separation should form a useful benchmark for basis sets and electron correlation methods. The dissociation energyD ₀ is computed to be 103.9±2 kcal/mol. A self-consistent set of spectroscopic constants is derived from a combination of ab initio and experimental data. JANAF-style thermodynamic functions in the range 100–6000 K, including anharmonic, rovibrational coupling, centrifugal stretching, and spin-orbit coupling effects are computed using direct numerical summation over the 25 lowest electronic states. A modified procedure for the latter is outlined that reduces computer time by one or two orders of magnitude without compromise in accuracy.     

Associative ionization reaction N + O → NO<Superscript>+</Superscript> + e<Superscript>–</Superscript> in slow collisions of atoms

The endothermic associative ionization reaction N(²D) + O(³P) → NO** → NO(¹Σ⁺) +e^- in slow collisions of the atoms has been considered in terms of the multichannel quantum defect theory. The dependences of the partial and total cross sections of the reaction on the energy of the colliding atoms in the range of 0–0.3 eV have been calculated. It has been shown that the cross sections have a pronounced resonance structure, which is formed as a result of the multichannel interaction of autoionization states of the intermediate Rydberg complex NO** with dissociative states. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate constant is presented. The results are compared with those of other calculations and available experimental data.     

Analytical photoion spectroscopy applied to dissociative single and double photoionization of diatomic molecules (H2, N2, O2, CO,and NO)

This work reports the principle, advantage, and limitations of analytical photoion spectroscopy which has been applied to dissociative photoionization processes for diatomic molecules such as H₂, N₂, CO, and NO. Characteristic features observed in the differential photoion spectra are summarized with a focus on (pre)dissociation of(i) multielectron excitation states commonly observed in the inner valence regions,(ii) shape resonances, and(iii) doubly charged parent ions. Possible origins for negative peaks in the differential spectra are discussed. This spectroscopy is applied to the reported photoion branching ratios for D₂ (and H₂ at high energies). The main findings are as follows: (1) The direct dissociation of theX ²Σ _g ⁺ (1sσ _g ) state of D ₂ ⁺ , the two-electron excited state¹Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u 2sσ _g ) of D₂, and the²Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u ) state of D ₂ ⁺ appear clearly in the differential spectrum, as previously observed for H₂. (2) Decay of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) to H⁺ (D⁺) above 38 eV is due to the direct dissociation of highly excited states of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) such as the²Σ _g ⁺ (2sσ _g ) and high-lying Rydberg states converging on H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ). (3) In the ionization continuum of H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ) peculiar dissociation pathways are observed. The differential photoion spectra for O₂ derived from the reported photoion branching ratios are also presented. The (pre)dissociation of theb ⁴Σ _g ^? ,B ²Σ _g ^? , III²Π _u ,²Σ _u ^? , and^2,4Σ _g ^? states of O ₂ ⁺ appears as the corresponding positive values in the spectra in accord with previous observations. Some other dissociation pathways possibly contributing to the spectra are discussed including dissociative double ionization.     

Theoretical study of the 2Σu+ and 2Σg+ states of Li2− and Na2−

Ab initio calculations are performed to obtain potential energy curves for the X¹Σ_g⁺ state of Li₂ and Na₂ and the X²Σ_g⁺ and A²Σ_g⁺ states of their anions. The A²Σ_g⁺ M₂^? curves are found to intersect the X¹Σ_g⁺M₂ curves at low energies and are expected to play a major role in the e^? + M₂ → M^? + M process.     

Determination of the radiative lifetimes of the b1Σ+ and a1Δ states in NH by ab initio methods

Probabilities for the spin-forbidden transitions from the b¹Σ⁺ and a¹Δ states to the X³Σ^? ground state of NH have been evaluated by a first-order perturbation expansion into S-eigenfunctions Nine ³Π and ¹Π, five ¹Σ⁺ and three ³Σ^? states have been calculated by the MRD CI method at the experimental equilibrium distance of the X³Σ^? state (1.0362 Å) which cover a vertical spectral region of = 100000 cm^?1. The expansion terms of the perturbation sum are spin-orbit coupling coefficients obtained by using the Breit-Pauli one- and two-electron spin-orbit operator. The radiative lifetime of b¹Σ⁺ has been determined in the Franck-Condon approximation to be 72 ms from ab initio data and 97 ms if experimental excitation energies for the low-lying valence states are employed. Recent experiments give a somewhat shorter lifetime for the corresponding 0-0 transition of 53 ms. The lifetime is governed by the transition to the ³Σ^?_±1 level of the non-rotating molecule, borrowing its intensity mainly from the A³Π → X³Σ^? dipole transition. The second possible transition to the Ω = 0 level of the ground state is found to be weak. A similar relation of μ₁/μ₀ is expected for all the hydrogen containing isovalent molecules such as PH and AsH. The radiative lifetime of the a¹Δ state has been calculated to be = 1.7 s. Recent matrix experiments predict a gas-phase lifetime of at least 3 s. Further experimental and theoretical investigations are in progress to clarify this unusual finding that the experimentally determined lifetime is longer than that calculated theoretically.     

Analysis of the 350–400 nm oscillatory continuum from I2 (D 1Σ+u)

The 350–400 nm oscillatory continuum, observed in emission when I₂ is excited to the D¹Σ⁺_u state (λ = 193 nm, u′ ≈ 134), has been analysed. The lower potential state, which correlates with two ground-state 1 atoms, is found to be purely repulsive between 2.75 and 3.8 Å, the range defined by the observed fluorescence. The band is partially overlapped by another system and there are two possible positions for the band origin, leading to very similar lower states.     

The magnetizability of excited-state hydrogen: temperature-independent paramagnetism in the B1Σ+u state

Components, of the magnetizability tensor for the B¹Σ⁺_u and a ³Σ⁺_g states ot the hydrogen molecule have been calculated for fixed bond lengths near equilibrium. Explicitly correlated “generalised James-Coolidge” type wavefunctions were used. It is found thilt in the B 1Σ⁺_u state the molecular magnetizability is a positive quantity.     

Penning ionization optical spectroscopy: Metastable helium (He23S) with nitric oxide

The interaction between NO(X²π) and metastable He(2³S) atoms has been investigated by emission spectrometry. Several reaction channels have been identified, leading to NO⁺(A¹π), or to electronically excited N or O atoms. The NO⁺(A⁺π-X¹Σ⁺) banded emission spectrum was observed in the range 123-190 nm, and it was analyzed for vibrational and rotational populations. The NO⁺(A) state vibrational distribution, determined with a new set of Franck—Condon factors for NO⁺(A–X), is in approximate accord with the calculated NO⁺ (A) - NO(X) Franck—Condon (FC) factors; however the υ' = 2 – 5 levels are overpopulated relative to the FC values. The NO⁺(A) state rotational populations are shifted to higher J-values than the precursor, NO(X). Emission was observed from several excited states of O and N in both the vacuum ultraviolet and red regions of the spectrum. Comparison of total rates from excited atomic fragments with emissions from NO⁺(A) showed that the cross-section for dissociative excitation was similar to that for Penning ionization giving NO⁺(A).     

Theoretical description of nuclear quadrupole coupling in light diatomic molecules

A practical procedure for calculation of nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for light diatomic molecules is discussed. The procedure is based on a molecular wave function that explicitly describes nuclear motion. The approach is capable of yielding quadrupole coupling constants for excited rovibrational levels of diatomic molecules in their ground and excited electronic states. An application of the procedure to the X¹Σ⁺_g and B¹Σ⁺_u states of HD and D₂ is presented.     

Nature of the resonant states of NO−

The stabilization method of Taylor has been used to calculate the nature of the states of NO^? corresponding to the lowest resonances observed recently by Sanche and Schulz. It is confirmed that they consist of two Rydberg electrons in the core of the X ¹Σ⁺ ground state of the ion. The proposed assignments are the (Rsσ)²¹Σ⁺, (Rsσ)(Rpπ) ³Π, (Rsσ)(Rpσ) ³Σ⁺ states. The fourth resonance is attributed to an (Rpπ)²³Σ⁺ state. The Rydberg or of these states of the negative ion are more diffuse than the corresponding ones of the neutral molecule.     

The ionization potential of the BeH molecule

The ionization potential of the BeH molecule is derived from a few Rydberg states observed in the absorption spectrum and from “ab initio” calculations of the energies of the ground states of the BeH and BeH⁺ molecules at their equilibrium distances. The values are in agreement and yield PI(BeH, X²Σ⁺) = 66 100 ± 500 cm^?1.     

Electronically excited and ionized states of the chlorine molecule

Potentials curves for the ground and excited states of the chlorine molecules and its positive and negative ions have been calculated by means of the MRD-CI method. The standard AO basis employed consists of 74 functions including two atomic d and one set of s and p bond species, and the results at the corresponding full CI level are estimated for each state via a perturbation correction. Special emphasis is placed upon the treatment of Rydberg-valence mixing in this system, which phenomenon is found to be essential to the understanding of Cl₂ electronic absorption spectrum. All singlet states which correlate with the lowest dissociation limit plus many others which go to ionic Cl⁺+Cl^? or Rydberg Cl+Cl asymptotes are given explicit consideration. Among the triplet species of Cl₂ which dissociate into the ground state atoms only the ³Π_u state is not repulsive. The calculated D₀ value for the ground state is 2.455 eV compared to the experimental value of 2.475 eV, while the vertical ionization energy and electron affinity are found to be 11.48 and 2.38 eV respectively, also in very good agreement with the corresponding measured data of 11.50 and 2.51 ± 0.1 eV. In addition to Cl₂ laser line is confirmed to result from a ³Π_g → ³Π_u emission, whereby the calculated downward vertical transition energy of 4.86 eV fits in quite well with the known location of this line at 4.805 eV. The first two dipole-allowed transitions from the ground state of chlorine involve ¹Σ_u⁺ and ¹Π_u states which are calculated to be nearly isoenergetic, and these results also match very well with the location of the first absorption band in this spectrum. Finally quite similarly as in O₂ it is found that an avoided crossing between Rydberg and valences states produces a relatively steep potential well for an upper state (2 ¹Σ_u⁺), whose location concides with that of a second absorption band recently observed in synchrotron radiation studies.     

Interference effects in the predissociation of H2 and HD

Several absorption lines in the B? ¹Σ⁺_u ← X ¹Σ⁺_g system at 83 nm have been observed with sub-Doppler resolution in H₂ and HD. A detailed analysis of the lineshapes arising from the homogeneously predissociaied B ¹Σ⁺_u states shows that the linewidths are strongly affected by the Franck-Condon factors associated with coupling to the B' ¹Σ⁺_u continuum.