Two-color photoionization and photoelectron studies by combining infrared and vacuum ultraviolet

Recent developments of two-color infrared (IR)-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and VUV-IR photoionization and photoelectron detection schemes for spectroscopic studies are described. By preparing molecules in selected rovibrational states by IR excitation prior to VUV-photoionization, state-selected and state-to-state photoionization cross sections can be obtained by IR-VUV-photoionization efficiency (IR-VUV-PIE) and IR-VUV-pulsed field ionization-photoelectron (IR-VUV-PFI-PE) measurements, respectively. Rotationally resolved autoionizing Rydberg states converging to excited ionic states, which cannot be observed by single-photon VUV-PIE measurements, can be examined by the IR-VUV-PIE scheme. By monitoring the photoion and the PFI-PE intensities at a fixed VUV energy as a function of IR frequency, the respective IR photoion and IR absorption spectra of the corresponding neutral molecule can be measured. Two-color VUV-IR photo-induced Rydberg ionization (PIRI) experiment, in which high-n Rydberg states are prepared by VUV-photoexcitation followed by IR-induced autoionization, has also been demonstrated. Since the IR-VUV-PIE, IR-VUV-PFI-PE, and VUV-IR-PIRI methods do not require the existence of a bound intermediate electronic state in the UV and are generally applicable to all molecules, the development of these two-color photoionization and photoelectron schemes is expected to significantly enhance the scope of VUV spectroscopy and chemistry.     

Rovibrational-state-selected photoionization of acetylene by the two-color IR+VUV scheme: observation of rotationally resolved Rydberg transitions

We have demonstrated a rovibrational-state-selected photoionization experiment using an IR laser and high-resolution VUV-synchrotron radiation. The VUV photoionization of acetylene [C2H2(Xtilde; (1)Sigma(+)(g);nu(3)=1,J(')=8 or 10)] prepared by IR excitation reveals three strong autoionizing Rydberg series converging to C2H+2(Xtilde; (2)Pi(u);nu(+)(3)=1) with little ion background interference. Rotational transitions resolved for the Rydberg states provide an estimate of approximately 1.8 ps for their lifetimes. This experiment opens the way for state-selective photoionization studies of polyatomic molecules using VUV-synchrotron radiation.     

Atmospheric observations of multiple molecular species using ultra-high-resolution external cavity quantum cascade laser heterodyne radiometry

We demonstrate a widely tunable laser heterodyne radiometer operating in the thermal IR during an atmospheric observation campaign in the solar occultation viewing mode. An external cavity quantum cascade laser tunable within a range of 1120 to 1238 cm(-1) is used as the local oscillator (LO) of the instrument. Ultra-high-resolution (60 MHz or 0.002 cm(-1) transmission spectroscopy of several atmospheric species (water vapor, ozone, nitrous oxide, methane, and dichlorodifluoromethane) has been demonstrated within four precisely selected molecule-specific narrow spectral windows (～1 cm(-1). Atmospheric transmission lines within each selected window were fully resolved through mode-hop-free continuous tuning of the LO frequency. Comparison measurements were made simultaneously with a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer to demonstrate the advantages of the laser heterodyne system for atmospheric sounding at high spectral and spatial resolutions.     

VUV laser photoionization of laser-stimulated desorbed species

We report here first results about single-photon VUV laser photoionization of desorbed species from a silicon surface irradiated by a pulsed and tunable UV laser (290-300 nm). The combination of VUV photoionization at 10 eV with laser-induced surface desorption offers a largely non-destructive and sensitive method for quantitative analysis. Indeed it allows mass spectrometry measurements with uniform sensitivity and without breaking the chemical bonds in the probed species. The energy of the VUV photons (9.91 eV) is above the ionization limits of a number of molecules and fragments. Moreover, adjustment of the delay between the desorbing and the probe lasers allows the measurement of the time-of- flight distribution of the ejected species. Data extracted from these measurements are fundamental for a better understanding of laser-surface interaction phenomena.     

Direct-comb molecular spectroscopy with accurate, resolved comb teeth over 43 THz

We demonstrate a dual-comb spectrometer using stabilized frequency combs spanning 177 to 220 THz (1360 to 1690 nm) in the near infrared. Comb-tooth-resolved measurements of amplitude and phase generate over 4×10(5) individually resolved spectral elements at 100 MHz point spacing and kilohertz-level resolution and accuracy. The signal-to-noise ratio is 100 to 3000 per comb tooth. Doppler-broadened phase and amplitude spectra of CO(2), CH(4), C(2)H(2), and H(2)O in a 30 m multipass cell agree with established spectral parameters, achieving high-resolution measurements with optical bandwidth generally associated with blackbody sources.     

A high-resolution cw dye laser spectrometer

The construction and utilization of a high-resolution cw dye laser spectrometer is described. The laser incorporates pressure tuned intra-cavity etalons enabling the single mode output laser frequency to be tuned more than one nm in a continuous scan. In the scan the laser jumps from one cavity mode to the next in ～ 50 MHz steps. In comparison to molecular Doppler widths this mode jumping is negligible. As an example of the use of the instrument, a high-resolution absorption spectrum of molecular iodine between the sodium D lines is presented. A unique frequency counter provides the calibration of the absorption spectrum.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 2‐amino‐5‐chloropyridinium hydrogen selenate—its IR and Raman spectra,DFT calculations and physicochemical properties

The new organic‐inorganic salt, 2‐amino‐5‐chloropyridinium hydrogen selenate, has been synthesised and characterised by means of FT‐IR, FT‐Raman and single crystal X‐ray crystallography. Its vibrational spectra have been discussed on the basis of quantum chemical DFT calculations using the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) approach. The crystal and molecular structures have been compared and the role of the intermolecular interactions in this crystal has been analysed. The N HO interactions between the hydrogen atoms of the organic cation and oxygen atoms of hydrogen selenate anion determine the supramolecular arrangement in three‐dimensional space. The possible application of the studied composite material as a Raman laser has been discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NO分子和氧原子的高分辨离子谱实验研究

共振增强多光子电离及飞行时间质谱技术是一种具有高分辨率、高灵敏度的光谱研究技术。利用上述技术研究了由激光光解NO2产物-NO与原子O的离子谱,获得了振转态高度分辨的NO(X^2П,v″,J″)γ(0,0)γ(0,1)γ(1,1)带的离子谱以及自旋-轨道精细能级分辨的氧原子O(2P^3PJ^″=2,1,0)离子谱。氧原子O(2P^3PJ^″=2→3P^3PJ^″、2P^3PJ^″=1→3P^3PJ′、2P^3PJ″=0→3P^3PJ′)的离子信号位于紫外电离探测激光的波长分别为225．65nm,226．04nm,226．23nm。实验表明,共振增强多光子电离加飞行时间技术研究原子、分子光谱其灵敏度与分辨率远高于常用的激光感生荧光方法。所得到的NO分子与氧原子的离子谱及它们的离子信号对NO2分子光解及NO分子与氧原子的电离动力学研究提供了有益的实验信息。     

Threshold dependence of the vibrational excitation of molecules on laser radiation intensity

The collisionless vibrational excitation of a polyatomic molecule in an IR laser radiation field has been theoretically studied. It has been shown that (i) the degree of vibrational excitation (namely, number 0000 of vibrational quanta of a molecular mode near-resonant with the IR laser field that are absorbed by the molecule) is low if laser pulse intensity P (energy flux density in the laser beam) is lower than a certain critical value P _cr; (ii) the degree of excitation abruptly increases after crossing the boundary where P = P _cr; (iii) this effect is attributed to two properties inherent in polyatomic molecules, namely, the anharmonicity of the vibrational mode interacting with the laser field and the energy exchange with other modes; and (iv) at P > P _cr, number 00000 is determined only by energy density Φ = Pτ_P, where τ_P is the laser pulse duration, 00000 monotonically increases with increasing Φ. The model is in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Tunable light sources based on high harmonics generation for time-resolved VUV spectroscopy

The project of set-up for time resolved femtosecond VUV spectroscopy, which is based on a high harmonic generation source and a VUV monochromator is presented. We discuss the generation conditions of quasi-continuous VUV spectrum via HHG in Ar using the intense chirped IR fundamental pulse and the relatively weak second harmonic of IR fundamental. The desired narrow VUV spectral range is selected by time compensated double monochromator with concave spherical diffraction gratings. PACS 42.65.Ky; 42.79.Dj; 78.47.+p; 39.30.+w     

激光等离子体电子温度的时间分辨诊断

本文描述在LF-11激光装置上进行的线状锗等离子体电子温度时间分辨诊断的实验。在实验中利用时间分辨X射线晶体谱仪测量了线状锗等离子体X射线的时间分辨谱,并借助碰撞辐射模型(CR模型),由类Ne锗L线特征线相对强度比确定出锗等离子体的电子温度及其时间演化过程。并与用部分局部热平衡模型(PLTE)得出的结果做了比较。     

Temperature-compensated,high-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy: Application to carbon monoxide

The analytic basis is presented for an optical absorption technique on CO suitable for a single line-of-sight determination of average gaseous species number density in the presence of concentration, pressure and temperature gradients and of particulate loading. The technique depends on the use of high-resolution IR (tunable diode laser) spectroscopy. The method requires the construction of functions of molecular line strengths that are nearly temperature independent. A method for constructing these functions is described.     

Coulomb explosion of large polyatomic molecules assisted by nonadiabatic charge localization

The electron-nuclear dynamics of the Coulomb explosion of a large polyatomic molecule, anthracene, is probed using kinetic energy distributions of produced H+ ions. The kinetic energy release of ejected protons exceeds 30 eV for anthracene exposed to 10(14) W cm(-2), 800 nm pulses of 60 fs duration. We propose a strong-field charge localization model, based on nonadiabatic dynamics of charge distribution in a (multiply) ionized molecule; the charge localization lasts many laser periods and is sustained through successive ionizations of the molecular ion. The model explains quantitatively the dependence of the H+ kinetic energy on the laser intensity. Dissociative ionization of a polyatomic molecule enabled by long-lived charge localization is a new type of electron-nuclear dynamics and is essential for understanding the pathways of molecular or ionic fragmentation in strong fields.     

High-resolution photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold ytterbium atoms by using the intercombination transition

We observed high-resolution photoassociation spectra of laser-cooled ytterbium (Yb) atoms in the spin-forbidden 1S0 - 3P1 intercombination line. The rovibrational levels in the 0u+ state were measured for red detunings of the photoassociation laser ranging from 2.9 MHz to 1.97 GHz with respect to the atomic resonance. The rotational splitting of the vibrational levels near the dissociation limit were fully resolved due to the sub-MHz linewidth of the spectra in contrast to previous measurements using the spin-allowed singlet transition. In addition, from a comparison between the spectra of 174Yb and those of 176Yb, a d-wave shape resonance for 174Yb is strongly suggested.     

Power spectra and spatial pattern dynamics of a ring laser

Experimental measurements of power spectra of a single longitudinal and transverse mode ring dye laser are presented that reveal the critical slowing down of the laser near threshold. External pump noise serves as a probe of the frequency response of the dye laser. Detailed comparisons of the spectral characteristics with computer simulations and an approximate analytic theory are given. The dynamics of spatial pattern formation in a multimode dye laser is examined through measurements of first-passage-time distributions. A comparison of the experiments with computer simulations based on a simple theoretical model of the two-mode laser shows qualitative agreement. These measurements indicate that there are a variety of complex phenomena associated with the transverse mode pattern formation dynamics that need to be addressed theoretically and studied further experimentally.     

基于高精细度光腔锁频激光的分子吸收光谱测量

利用高精细度光腔锁定激光频率,实现了对分子吸收光谱的高精度测量.光腔采用低热膨胀系数的殷钢结构设计和温度控制,实现了腔长度的稳定;通过将激光频率锁定在光腔纵模上,实现了高频率精度和高灵敏度的光腔衰荡光谱测量.利用该装置示范性地测量了二氧化碳分子在6470.42 cm~(-1)附近的光腔衰荡光谱和色散光谱,得到了高精度的谱线参数,并和数据库谱线参数进行了对比.     

The external-resonator cw spin-flip Raman laser; output characteristics and spectroscopic applications

The characteristics of a stable, external-resonator spin-flip Raman laser (SFRL), pumped by a cw carbon monoxide laser of controlled mode quality and spectral content, are determined using a combination of molecular spectroscopy, Raman amplifier and confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements, and heterodyne detection. Single-frequency output of a free-running external-resonator is demonstrated with an inherent linewidth of <10 kHz and a short-term frequency jitter of ≃100 kHz. With the resonator length actively controlled to lock an axial mode frequency to the peak of the spontaneous gain, the linewidth of the SFRL output was maintained below 2 MHz. In this mode of operation, small variations in the output tuning rate, corresponding to the magnetic field dependence of the conduction-electrong-factor, were calibrated. Molecular absorption spectra obtained using gas cells both inside and outside the resonator have been used to illustrate the high resolution, wide-range tuning capability and sensitivity of the system. Lambda-doubling of the of the Q-branch head of nitric oxide was measured for values ofJ down to 13/2, below which the splitting is less than the Doppler width. The splittings agreed with predictions using parameters obtained by conventional spectra for higherJ-values.     

NMR and RAMAN studies of fluids at high pressure

Abstract

Selected results of the studies dealing with the motional dynamics of liquid 2-ethylhexyl cyclohexanecar-boxylate (EHC) and 2-ethylhexyl benzoate (EHB) illustrate the progress in instrumentation development for high-resolution, high-pressure NMR experiments on liquids.

A brief overview of recent laser Raman scattering studies of the collision induced scattering in simple polyatomic molecular fluids is also presented.     

六种生物药物分子的高分辨太赫兹光谱研究

利用太赫兹时域光谱技术,在77～295 K之间,分别测量了两种异黄酮(金雀异黄酮和鹰嘴豆芽素A)、两种瘦肉精(盐酸克伦特罗和沙丁胺醇)和两种人参皂苷(Rg2和Rg3)等三类药物生物分子随温度变化的低频振动光谱,发现结构和功能相似的同类样品在室温环境下的太赫兹光谱均存在明显的不同。当温度从295 K冷却到77 K,测量样品的特征峰增加,鹰嘴豆芽素A可以观察到13个高分辨的特征吸收峰;并伴随线宽变窄,可以为1.9×10-5 mol用量的人参皂苷20-(R)-Rg3提供较准确的吸收峰。得到的高分辨太赫兹指纹谱为快速、无损鉴定该类药物生物分子提供一种可靠的新方法。