Electron impact and single photon ionization cross sections of neutral silver clusters

Neutral silver atoms and small clusters Ag _n (n=1...4) were generated by sputtering, i.e. by bombarding a polycrystalline silver surface with Ar⁺ ions of 5 keV. The sputtered particles were ionized by a crossed electron beam and subsequently detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. In alternative to the electron impact ionization, the same neutral species were also ionized by single photon absorption from a pulsed VUV laser (photon energy 7.9 eV), and the photoionization cross sections were evaluated from the laser intensity dependence of the measured signals. By in situ combining both ionization mechanisms, absolute values of the ratio σ _e (Ag _n )/σ _e (Ag) between the electron impact ionization cross sections of silver clusters and atoms could be determined for a fixed electron energy of 46 eV. These values can then be used to calibrate previously measured relative ionization functions. By calibrating the results using literature data measured for silver atoms, we present absolute cross sections for electron impact ionization of neutral Ag₂, Ag₃ and Ag₄ as a function of the electron energy between threshold and 125 eV.     

Metastable decay of rare gas cluster ions: mechanism and kinetics

Metastable decay of cluster ions has been discovered only recently. It was noted that one has to take this metastable decay into account when using mass spectrometry to probe neutral clusters, because ion abundance anomalies in mass spectra of rare gas and molecular clusters are caused by delayed metastable evaporation of monomers following ion production. Moreover, it was found that(i) the individual metastable reaction rates k depend strongly on cluster size and cluster ion production pathways and that(ii) there exists experimental evidence (k=k(t)) and a theoretical prediction that a given mass selected cluster ion generated by electron impact ionization of a nozzle expansion beam will comprise a range of metastable decay rates. In addition, it was discovered that metastable Ar cluster ions which lose two monomers in the μs time regime decay via sequential decay series Ar _n ⁺ *→Ar _n?1 ⁺ *→Ar _n?2 ⁺ * with cluster sizes 7≤n≤10 andn=3 (similar results were obtained recently in case of N₂ cluster ions). Conversely, the dominant metastable decay channel of Ar ₄ ⁺ * into Ar ₂ ⁺ was found to proceed predominantly via a single step fissioning process.     

The gas phase “matrix isolation” spectroscopy of CH3F

We report infrared photodissociation spectra for Ne, Ar, Kr, N₂ and CH₄ clusters which contain CH₃F chromophores. The CH₃Fv ₃ mode is excited with a line tunable CO₂ laser. Mass spectrometer detection of changes in the cluster beam intensity serve to partially distinguish the spectra of different size neutral clusters. Many spectra consist of rather broad, inhomogeneous profiles. For intermediate size Ar_nCH₃F clusters a sharp, narrow peak is observed in the spectrum. We assign this peak as due to a cluster in which a central CH₃F molecule is surrounded by at least a full shell of Ar atoms packed in a contracted icosohedral geometry. Because the Ar atoms in a gas phase cluster are unconstrained by an extended crystalline structure, the CH₃F dipole is more fully stabilized (and thus red-shifted) than in a solid matrix. The dependence of the observed spectrum on cluster size is discussed. For comparison, no comparable narrow spectral features are observed in Ar_nC₂H₄ cluster spectra. Clear evidence is also presented that the fragmentation of the neutral clusters upon electron impact ionization is fairly specific. Finally, we note that ionization of Ar_nCH₃F clusters sometimes produces Ar_nF⁺ ions. This is a fragmentation process which does not occur in free CH₃F.     

Multiphoton ionization and photodissociation of (NO)mArn clusters

Picosecond multiphoton ionization of (NO)_mAr_n clusters produced in a supersonic expansion of NO/Ar gas mixtures has been studied using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Two-photon ionization with 266 nm photons show that dilute gas mixtures (1% NO/Ar) yield clusters limited to m≤7, but with as many as 37 argon atoms. Magic numbers are observed for NO⁺Ar₁₂, NO⁺Ar₁₈, (NO) ₂ ⁺ Ar₁₇, NO⁺Ar₂₂, and (NO) ₂ ⁺ Ar₂₁ and are understood in terms of solvation of the NO⁺ and (NO) ₂ ⁺ by argon in icosahedral arrangements. Four-photon ionization with 532 nm light produces dissociation of the clusters to yield only NO⁺Ar_n with n up to 54. This distribution exhibits an additional magic number at n=54, consistent with the completion of a second solvation sphere about the NO⁺. The known wavelength dependence for photodissociation of (NO) ₂ ⁺ and (NO) ₃ ⁺ and comparison of MPI spectra obtained with 266, 355, and 532 nm light indicate that the dissociation is occurring in the cluster ions.     

Ionization dynamics of van-der-Waals clusters

The ionization process of homogeneous and heterogeneous van-der-Waals clusters has been investigated using various ionization methods (electron bombardment, charge exchange, photoionization methods), and different analyzing techniques. Direct and indirect ionization processes can be distinguished in the experiments from the shape of the ionization curve which depends on the type of cluster. These features appear differently in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems: Homogeneous systems exhibit characteristic ionization efficiency curves where the direct ionization path appears as a sudden increase in the ionization efficiency while the indirect transition gives rise to a long drawn out tail extending to the true ionization threshold. In heterogeneous clusters the indirect ionization path proceeds via excited states of the component with the larger ionization potential and subsequent energy transfer to the other component. These transitions are shifted and broadened depending on the type of internal interaction. Conclusions are drawn concerning the geometry and the interaction potential inside the cluster. The resolution of the TEPICO (Threshold Electron Photo Ion Coincidence) experiments makes it possible to determine the kinetic energy release of the fragments. It is shown that the results are related to the stabilities of the cluster ions involved in the fragmentation chain. Results are presented for pure rare gas clusters (Ar _n , Kr _n , Xe _n ) and for mixed systems (Ar _n O_2m , Ar _n Xe, Kr _n Xe, (CH₄) _n Ne).     

On the structure and stability of Ar n and Ar n + clusters at finite temperature

For Ar_2–29 and Ar _2–29 ⁺ clusters at 20 K in the polarization model presented here the electrodynamical dipole-dipole many-body problem is solved selfconsistently with the Monte-Carlo method (MC) at 20 K, i.e. the instantaneous dipole-dipole interaction is solved to infinite perturbation order and in cluster expansion to the order of the cluster size. The long range many-body dipole-dipole interaction is coupled to exchange interaction by a modified effective dipole polarizability. This model will be compared to the dimer model and classical MC simulation of Ar _n . The resulting different magic numbers in the binding energies are discussed in this connection with different experimental techniques of cluster ionization. By the mean square cluster diameter a shape parameter is introduced and it is found that with this parameter structural form transition in cluster growth can be resolved, and surprisingly do not correlate with the magic numbers.     

Unimolecular (metastable) and collision-induced dissociation of ArN+2 cluster ions

Unimolecular and collision-induced dissociations of ArN⁺₂ producedby electron impact ionization (ArN⁺₂ → Ar⁺ and ArN⁺₂ → N⁺₂) were investigated quantitatively using a double-focusing sector type mass spectrometer. Information gained is relevant for the detection efficiency of clusters and for the development of appropriate theoretical fragmentation models.     

Comparison of electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of some arenetricarbonylchromium complexes

The mass spectrometric behavior of a) the tricarbonylchromium complexes of a series of aromatic hydrocarbons, b) the dimethyldiphenyl compounds of the Group IV elements (i.e., diphenylpropane, dimethyldiphenylsilane, etc.) and c) the mono- and bis-tricarbonylchromium complexes of these ligands under electron impact and chemical ionization conditions are reported. The MH⁺ ion is base peak for all of the simple arenetricarbonylchromium complexes using chemical ionization, whereas [M — 3 CO]⁺ or ⁵²Cr⁺ dominate the spectra with electron impact ionization. The chemical ionization spectra of the series of Group IV element ligands do not exhibit signals in the molecular ion region, the base peak being [M — Ph]⁺. [M — CH₃]⁺ is the electron impact base peak for each of the ligands except the lead-containing compound, for which the base peak is ²⁰⁸Pb⁺. The mono-tricarbonylchromium complexes yield chemical ionization molecular ion clusters, but their base peaks arise via fragmentation of the Group IV element—aromatic ring bonds. Electron impact ionization spectra of the mono complexes are characterized by losses of CO and the production of Cr⁺ ions, neither of which occurs with chemical ionization. For the series of bis-tricarbonylchromium complexes, an MH⁺ ion is prominent only in the chemical ionization spectrum of the diphenylpropane complex. The electron impact induced spectra of the bis-tricarbonylchromium complexes are similar to those of the mono-complexes in that loss of CO is a prominent feature.     

Structure and stability for (AlN) n + and (AlN) n + (n=1–15) clusters

Using density functional theory (DFT) method with 6-31G* basis set, we have carried out the optimizing calculation of geometry, vibrational frequency and thermodynamical stability for (AlN) _n ⁺ and (AlN) _n ⁺ (n=1–15) clusters. Moreover, their ionic potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA) were discussed. The results show that the electrical charge condition of the cluster has a relatively great impact on the structure of the cluster and with the increase of n, this kind of impact is reduced gradually. There are no Al-Al and N-N bonds in the stable structure of (AlN) _n ⁺ or (AlN) _n ^-, and the Al-N bond is the sole bond type. The magic number regularity of (AlN) _n ⁺ and (AlN) _n ^- is consistent with that for (AlN) _n , indicating that the structure with even n such as 2, 4, 6, ... is more stable. In addition, (AlN₁₀ has the maximal ionization power (9.14 eV) and the minimal electron affinity energy (0.19 eV), which manifests that (AlN)₁₀ is more stable than other clusters.     

Absolute cross sections for electron impact ionization of Ag2

The previously measured relative cross section function for electron impact ionization (EII) of neutral Ag₂ has now been calibrated quantitatively by combining the electron impact ionization with in situ non resonant two photon ionization (NR2PI). By comparing the NR2PI saturation intensities measured for Ag ₂ ⁺ and Ag⁺ with the corresponding EII intensities, the ratio between the electron impact ionization cross sections (EIICS) of neutral Ag₂ and Ag was determined to be σ_Ag2/σ_Ag=1.53 for an electron energy of 46 eV. This result agrees well with the geometricn ^2/3-rule \((\sigma X_n \sim n^{2/3} )\) commonly proposed for the dependence of the EIICS of clustersX _n on the cluster sizen.     

The geometric, energetic, and electronic properties of charged phosphorus-doped silicon clusters, PSi n +/PSi n ? (n?=?1�C8)

Charged phosphorus-doped small silicon clusters, PSi _n ⁺/PSi _n ^? (n?=?1?8), have been investigated using the B3LYP/6-311+G* level Kohn?CSham density functional theory (KS-DFT) method. For comparison, the geometries of neutral PSi _n clusters were also optimized at the same level, though most of them have been previously reported. According to our results, cationic PSi _n ⁺ clusters have ground state structures similar to those of pure silicon clusters Si _n+1, with the exception of n?=?5. For anionic PSi _n ^?, most of the lowest-energy structures are in accord with Wade??s 2N+2 rule for closed polyhedra: PSi₄ ^?, PSi₅ ^?, PSi₆ ^?, and PSi₈ ^?, respectively, favor the trigonal bipyramid, tetragonal bipyramid, pentagonal bipyramid, and tricapped trigonal prism (TTP) structures, corresponding to Wade??s 2N+2 rule with N?=?5, 6, 7, and 9. The structures tend to contract when the cationic species is reduced initially to the neutral species and subsequently to the anionic species, implying a strengthening interaction between atoms within the clusters on one and two electron reductions of the cationic species to the neutral and anionic species, respectively. The relative order of stability of the PSi _n ⁺/PSi _n ^? isomers differs from that of the PSi _n isomers. Cluster stability was also analyzed by adiabatic ionization potentials (AIP), adiabatic electron affinities (AEA), binding energies (BE), second-order energy differences (?₂E), and HOMO-LUMO gap values. The results indicate that PSi₄ ^? and PSi₇ ^? clusters are more stable than their neighboring anionic clusters and would be potential species for further mass spectrometric measurements.     

Mass spectroscopic study of some novel water clusters: (H2O) n + ;n>3

A near atmospheric pressure ion source with a β-emitter as electron source is used to inject ions into a supersonic water expansion. Cluster ions of the structure (H₂O)⁺ _n have been observed forn up to 8. Forn>3 these cluster ions cannot be obtained by ionization of water clusters in vacuum, but they can be grown in the cold environment of a supersonic beam. Extremely clean conditions are necessary for the observation of these cluster ions. The data can be explained by assuming that the local potential minimum calculated for the (H₂O) _n ⁺ ,n=2, potential hypersurface exists also forn>2. The model developed to explain these data is similar to that proposed for ionized rare gas clusters.     

Gas phase ion molecule chemistry of tetracarbonyl (η5-cyclopentadienyl) vanadium by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance

The kinetics of the reactions between the CpV(CO)₄ molecule and its fragment cations and anions have been examined using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) techniques. With 25 eV electron impact ionization the fragment cations V⁺ and CpV(CO)_n=0–4⁺ react principally by charge exchange or by condensation with the parent neutral molecule. Rate constants for these pathways have been determined along with kinetic evidence for the existence of excited state cations. Some of the product cations show unexpected stability despite their large formal electron deficiency. Exchange of carbonyl ligands was also observed. Under 2.5 eV electron impact, only two anions are produced: CpV(CO)_n=2,3⁻, both of which are unreactive with the parent neutral.     

A diatomics-in-molecules model for singly ionized neon clusters

A minimum-basis diatomics-in-molecules (DIM) model previously developed for singly-ionized argon clusters is applied to neon clusters, Ne _n ⁺ , forn=3, 4,...,22. A search for the global minimum energy of each cluster yields structures with the positive charge localised on a dimer-ion. This appears to be due largely to the linear unsymmetrical configuration which the model finds for Ne ₃ ⁺ . For this reason, the structures of the clusters at their minimum energy are different from those for Ar _n ⁺ computed with the same model. On the other hand, the behaviour of the charge distribution as a function of the geometrical configuration is similar to that for Ar _n ⁺ , as are the overall shapes of the potential energy surfaces. The results are discussed in terms of the charge distributions and the ratios of equilibrium properties of the dimers and dimer-ions which constitute the input to the model.     

Comparative analysis of the state of lithium and sodium atoms in water clusters

Structures and energetic characteristics of Li(H₂O) _n and Li⁺(H₂O) _n clusters with n = 1–6, 19, and 27 determined in the second order of the Møller-Plesset perturbation theory with 6–31++G(d,p) basis set are analyzed. The electron density redistribution, which takes place upon the electron addition to a Li⁺(H₂O) _n cluster, is found to be provided by hydrogen-bonded water molecules: initially almost neutral molecules, which are most distant from lithium, become negatively charged. The calculated energies of the electron capture by Li⁺(H₂O) _n clusters are approximated with the appropriate electrostatic model, and estimates of the lithium ionization energy in water clusters of various sizes are found. Similar estimates obtained earlier for sodium are made more accurate.     

Static and dynamic properties of anionic intermolecular aggregates: the I−–benzene–Ar n case

Molecular dynamics simulations on the I^?–benzene–Ar _n clusters have been carried out using an atom(ion)-bond model to describe the nonelectrostatic contribution to the total interaction. Results for I^?–benzene–Ar and I^?–benzene–Ar _n (n = 3, 18 and 25) are presented and some predicted properties are compared with those of the alkali cation–benzene clusters solvated by Ar atoms.     

On the role of dissociative ionization in the formation of argon dimer ions

The formation of Ar ₂ ⁺ ions has been investigated by means of the threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) technique. Two pathways for the formation of Ar ₂ ⁺ ions are important. One is a direct path via excitation of Rydberg states of Ar₂ with consecutive autoionization. The other path is dissociative ionization of larger argon clusters, in this case argon trimers. These two pathways lead to Ar ₂ ⁺ ions with different internal energy. The pathways are easily distinguished in the TPEPICO-TOF spectra by the kinetic energy released (KER) in the dissociative ionization. The KER for the reaction Ar ₃ ⁺ → Ar ₂ ⁺ + Ar was measured as a function of the photon energy and compared to the KER expected from statistical theory. The agreement is satisfying and confirms that Ar ₃ ⁺ ions do indeed dissociate at the thermochemical threshold. At higher photon energy the excited²Π(3/2)g state of Ar ₃ ⁺ is also detected from a second component in the KER. By applying a kinetic energy discrimination it is possible to measure cluster ion spectra in the presence of larger clusters but essentially without interference from the latter.     

A diatomics-in-molecules model for singly-ionized argon clusters

A DIM model using ab initio input for the diatomic interactions predicts a collinear bound Ar₃ ⁺ molecule (in agreement with ab initio calculations) and stable clusters Ar_n ⁺ consisting of an Ar₃ ⁺ ion embedded in (n?3) neutral atoms. These results support existing theories that dynamical size selection may be more relevant in interpreting experimental results than the relative stabilities of clusters in their minimum energy configurations.     

Electron energy loss spectroscopy of van-der-Waals clusters

A method to measure electron energy loss spectra (EELS) of clusters with a high resolution (30 meV) has been developed and has been applied to some van der Waals clusters (Ar _n , Kr _n ). Structures have been found which relate to the excitation of atoms on the surface and inside the cluster. An influence of the cluster size on the spectra has been observed.     

Fragmentation spectroscopy of heterogeneous clusters

Photoionisation experiments were performed with heterogeneous Ar-Xe-clusters produced by supersonic expansion of argon gas with small quantities of xenon added to it. A threshold-electron photoionisation (TEPICO) technique was used to obtain time of flight cluster mass spectra. These mass spectra show particularly strong intensities for Ar₁₂Xe⁺ and Ar₁₈Xe⁺ which are attributed to the extraordinary stabilities of these cluster ions. Maxima in the ionic size distribution around Ar₇Xe⁺ are related to a particular abundance ofneutral Ar₁₂Xe which is fragmented after ionization. These stabilities are explained in terms of geometries consisting of a central Xe atom or ion surrounded by shells of Ar atoms. Filled shells exhibit particular strong bonding because these exhibit the largest number of atom-atom bonds. This conclusion is supported by simple theoretical calculations. The ionization process is discussed in terms of two direct and one indirect ionization channels the latter one proceeding via an intermediate electronic excitation of the Ar component in the neutral cluster.