The energy balance and branching ratios associated with the chemiluminescent reaction Si(3P) + N2O(1Σ) → SiO*(a3Σ+, b3Π, A1Π) + N2(υ″ ⩾ 5) — possible formation of vibrationally excited N2

Silicon atoms react under single collision conditions with N₂O to yield chemiluminescent emission corresponding to the SiO a³Σ⁺?X¹Σ⁺ and b³Π?X¹Σ⁺ intercombination systems and the A¹Π?X¹Σ⁺ band system. A most striking feature of the SiN₂O reaction is the energy balance associated with the formation of SiO product molecules in the A¹Π and b³Π states. A significant energy discrepancy ( = 10000 cm^? = 1.24 eV) is found between the available energy to populate the highest energetically accessible excited-state quantum levels and the highest quantum level from which emission is observed. It is suggested that this discrepancy may result from the formation of vibrationally excited N₂ in a concerted fast SiN₂O reactive encounter. Emission from the SiO a³Σ⁺ (A¹Π) and b³Π(A¹Π, E¹Σ₀⁺) triplet-state manifold results primarily from intensity borrowing involving the indicated singlet states. Perturbation calculations indicate the magnitude of the mixing between the b³Π, A¹Π and E¹Σ₀⁺ states ranges between 0.5 and 2%. On the basis of these calculations, the branching ratio (excited triplet)/(excited singlet) is found to be well in excess of 500. An approximate vibrational population distribution is deduced for those molecules formed in the b³Π state. The present studies are correlated with those of previous workers in order to provide an explanation for diverse relaxation effects as well as observed changes in the ratio of a³Σ⁺ to b³Π emission as a function of pressure and experimental environment. Some of these effects are attributable to a strong coupling between the a³Σ⁺ and b³Π state. Based on the current results, there appears to be little correlation between either (1) the branching ratio for excited state formation or (2) the total absolute cross section for excited-state formation and (3) the measured quantum yield for the SiN₂O reaction. Implications for chemical laser development are considered.     

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).     

Investigation of the molecular chemiluminescence SrCl(A2Π1/2,3/2, B2Σ+ → X2Σ+) and the atomic resonance fluorescence Sr(53P1 → 51S0) in the time-domain following the pulsed dye laser generation of Sr(53 PJ) in the presence of CH2Cl2

Time-resolved investigations of the atomic resonance fluorescence Sr(5³P₁ → 5¹S₀) and the molecular chemiluminescence from SrCl(A²Π_1/2,3/2, B²Σ⁺ → X²Σ⁺) are reported following the reaction of the electronically excited strontium atom, Sr(5s5p(³P_J)), 1.807 eV above its 5s²(¹S₀) electronic ground state, with CH₂Cl₂. The optically metastable strontium atom was generated by pulsed dye-laser excitation of ground state strontium vapor to the Sr(5³P₁) state at λ = 689.3 nm (Sr(5³P₁ ← 5¹S₀)) at elevated temperature (850 K) in the presence of excess helium buffer gas in which rapid Boltzmann equilibration within the 5³P_J manifold takes place. Sr(5³P_J) was then monitored by time-resolved atomic fluorescence from Sr(5³P₁) at the resonance wavelength together with chemiluminescence from electronically excited SrCl resulting from reaction of the excited atom with CH₂Cl₂. The molecular systems recorded in the time-domain were SrCl(A²Π_1/2 → X²Σ⁺) (Δν = 0, λ = 674 nm), SrCl(A²Π_3/2 → X²Σ⁺) (Δν = 0, λ = 660 nm), and SrCl(B²Σ⁺ → X²Σ⁺) (Δν = 0, λ = 636 nm). Both the A²Π (179.0 kJ mol^?1) and (B²Σ⁺(188.0) kJ mol^?1) states of SrCl are energetically accessible on collision between Sr(³P) and CH₂Cl₂. Exponential decay profiles for both the atomic and molecular (A,B – X) chemiluminescence emission are observed and the first-order decay coefficients characterized in each case. These are found to be equal under identical conditions and hence SrCl(A²Π, B²Σ⁺) are shown to arise from direct Cl-atom abstractions on reaction with this halogenated species. The combination of integrated molecular and atomic intensity measurements, coupled with optical sensitivity calibration, yields estimations of the branching ratios into the A_1/2,3/2, B, and X states arising from Sr(5³ P_J) + CH₂Cl₂ which are found to be as follows: A_1/2, 3.0 × 10^?3; A_3/2, 1.7 × 10^?3; B, 4.4 × 10^?4 yielding ΣSrCl(A_1/2 + A_3/2 + B) = 5.1 × 10^?3. As only the X, A and B states of SrCl are accessible on reaction, this indicates an upper limit for the branching ratio into the ground state of 0.995. The present results are compared with previous time-resolved measurements on SrF, Cl, Br(A²Π,B²Σ⁺ ? X²Σ⁺) that we have reported on various halogenated species and with analogous chemiluminescence studies on Sr(³P) with other halides obtained from molecular beam measurements. The results are further compared with those from a series of previous analogous investigations in the time-domain we have presented of molecular emissions from CaF, Cl, Br, I (A,B – X) arising from the collisions of Ca(4³P_J) with appropriate halides and with branching ratio data for Ca(4³P_J) obtained in beam measurements. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Detection of SiF radicals with multiphoton ionization spectroscopy

We report the resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectrum of SiF between 430 and 492 nm. SiF radicals absorbed at least three photons to generate the observed m/z 47 SiF ions. Two-photon absorption bands from C″²Σ⁺ ← X ²Π, and C′²Π ← X ²Π, transitions were observed. An intense band from sequential one-photon transitions from the X ²Π_1/2(υ″ = 0) state through the A²Σ⁺ (υ′ = 0) and C″²Σ⁺ (υ′ = 1) states was observed.     

Radiative lifetimes of the CO a′3Σ+, b3Σ+, c3Π, d3Δ and B1Σ+ states. Absolute emission cross sections for t

Radiative lifetimes have been measured for the CO a′³Σ⁺(ν′=4–9), b³Σ⁺(ν′= 0), c³Π(ν′=0), d³Δ(ν′=1–16) and B¹Σ⁺(ν′= 0) states. Our experimental values, arranged in the same order, are 7–10 μs, 56 ns, 16 ns, 3–7.5 μs, 34 ns. Some of these values disagree with the results of previous experiments. To our opinion this is due to an incomplete identification of the emission spectrum in regions where many bands may overlap, dependent on the applied spectral resolution. For the a′Σ⁺?a³Π and d³Δ?a³Π emissions effective cross sections for quenching by CO molecules are given. In connection with the identification of the spectrum, absolute emission cross sections for electrons incident on CO have been measured for the b³Σ⁺?a³Π and c³Π?a₃Π transitions. For an electron energy, corresponding to the maximum of the excitation function we find cross sections of 5.94 (?1.2) × 10^?18 cm² and 0.630 (? 0.13) × 10^?18 cm², respectively.     

150−230 nm Chemiluminescence from C,CN and CO and observation of C(3P, 1D) in the N/C2F4 and N/O2/C2F4 reactions

Addition of C₂F₄ to a flowing nitrogen afterglow gives rise to CN(E²ΣA²Π, X²Σ), CN(F² ΔA²Π) and C (156.1, 165.5 and 193.0 nm) chemiluminescence. Transitions have been observed from CN(E²Σ) up to ν′ = 2 from which vibrational constants for this state have been recalculated to be ω_eχ_e = 13.8 cm^?1 and ω_e = 1698.4 cm^?1. Ground state and metasrable C(³P, ¹D) have been detected and studied via resonance fluorescence. Addition of O₂ to the N/C₂F₄ reaction system reduces C and CN emission intensities and [C] while giving rise to CO(a³Π-X¹Σ), CO(A¹ΠX¹Σ) and NO(B²ΠX²Π) emission. Probable excitation mechanisms are discussed.     

Rotational analysis of the a3Π0+,1-X1Σ+ emission systems of GeH+

New emission systems have been observed from the helium afterglow reaction of GeH₄ in the 520–610 nm region. On the basis of the rotational analysis, they were assigned to the a ³Π_0⁺-X¹Σ⁺ and a³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ subsystems of GeH⁺. Spectroscopic constants have been determined for the GeH⁺ (a³Π_0⁺, a³Π₁, X¹Σ⁺) states.     

Collisional vibrational relaxation in the A 2Π state of CN

Collisional vibrational relaxation of several vibrational levels of the A²Π state of CN has been investigated. A given excited level is prepared by cw dye laser excitation in the A²Π-X²Σ⁺ band system in a discharge-flow apparatus. The resulting fluorescence from the initially prepared and collisionally populated vibrational levels is observed as a function of rare gas pressure (Ar or He, 1–7 Torr). CollisionaI transfer rates for Δυ = ?1 transitions are extracted with the aid of a steady-state kinetic model. Emission from lower vibrational levels was also observed but could be explained by cascade processes, rather than direct Δυ > 1 collisional transitions.     

Energy transfer processes in reactions of He(2 3S) and Ne(3P0,2) with CS2

A comparative spectroscopic study in the visible and ultraviolet ranges was conducted on the flowing afterglows resulting from the reactions of He(2 ³S) and Ne(³P_0,2) metastables with CS₂. Penning ionization was found to be the predominant energy transfer process. However, electron—ion recombination within the afterglows constitutes a major secondary process and gives rise to the most intense emitting system, CS(A ¹ Π → X ¹Σ⁺). Both afterglows were found to produce the CS⁺₂($\text{B}$²Σ⁺_u-$\text{X}$²Π_g), CS⁺₂($\text{A}$²Π_u-$\text{X}$²Π_g) and CS(a ³Π-X ¹Σ⁺) emission systems as well as some atomic sulfur emission lines. Some intensity differences were observed and are interpreted in terms of energetics and the formation mechanisms of the emitting species. A moderately strong CS⁺(A ²Π_i-X ²Σ⁺) emission system was also observed in the ehlium afterglow. In addition, a weak, sharp group of bands in the 390–420 nm range in the helium afterglow has been determined to be due to the presence of a small amount of He⁺ ions. This group of bands consists of two overlapping emission systems and are identified as CS(B ¹Σ⁺ → A ¹Π) and CS⁺(B ²Σ⁺ → A ²Π_i).     

O‐loss photodissociation of the OCS+ ion in the low‐lying electronic states studied using multiconfiguration second‐order perturbation theory

The CASPT2 potential energy curves (PECs) for O‐loss dissociation from the X²Π, A²Π, B²Σ⁺, C²Σ⁺, 1⁴Σ^?, 1²Σ^?, and 1⁴Π states of the OCS⁺ ion were calculated. The PEC calculations indicate that X²Π, 1⁴Σ^?, 1²Σ^?, and 1⁴Π correlate with CS⁺(X²Σ⁺) + O(³P_g); A²Π and B²Σ⁺ correlate with CS⁺(A²Π) + O(³P_g); and C²Σ⁺ probably correlates with CS⁺(X²Σ⁺) + O(¹D_g). The CASSCF minimum energy crossing point (MECP) calculations were performed for the C²Σ⁺/1⁴Σ^?, C²Σ⁺/1⁴Π, A²Π/1⁴Σ^?, A²Π/1²Σ^?, A²Π/1⁴Π, and B²Σ⁺/1²Σ^? state pairs and the spin‐obit couplings were calculated at the located MECPs. A conical intersection point between the B²Σ⁺ and C²Σ⁺ potential energy surfaces was found at the CASSCF level. Based on our calculations, seven O‐loss predissociation processes of the C²Σ⁺ state are suggested and an appearance potential value of 7.13 eV for the CS⁺ + O product group is predicted. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Parity propensity rules for multiphoton Π-Π transitions

A new aspect of multiphoton excitation is presented which concerns the parity selectivity in a multiphoton transition between electronically degenerate states. We show that a selective population of a single parity component in the upper state can be achieved even when the Λ doubling is not resolved experimentally. The selectivity is an example of a symmetry propensity rule as opposed to a strict symmetry selection rule. It arises when near-resonant Σ states dominate the multiphoton excitation pathway. As an illustration we calculate the three-photon linestrengths of the C²Π-X²Π (0, 0) band in NO under the assumption that the transition proceeds through the intermediate A²Σ⁺ (υ = 0) level. Good agreement with the observed (3 + 2) multiphoton ionization spectrum of NO is obtained.     

First observation of the SeO+ emission spectrum. Vibrational analysis of the A2Π-X2Π system

The low-resolution emission spectrum of the selenium monoxide cation, SeO⁺, excited in the reaction of discharged helium with SeOCl₂, has been recorded from 15000 to 25500 cm⁻¹. Thirty-five bandheads have been assigned to the A²Π-X²Π system of SeO⁺. Vibrational constants of the new A²Π and X²Π states have been estimated from least-squares fits of the measured head positions.     

Kinetic study of the reaction of OH with CH3I revisited

A flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of OH(X²Π) radicals with CH₃I over the temperature and pressure ranges 295–390 K and 82–303 Torr of He, respectively. The experiments involved time‐resolved RF detection of the OH (A²Σ⁺ → X²Π transition at λ = 308 nm) following FP of H₂O/CH₃I/He mixtures. The OH(X²Π) radicals were produced by FP of H₂O in the vacuum‐UV at wavelengths λ > 115 nm using a commercial Perkin‐Elmer Xe flash lamp. Decays of OH in the presence of CH₃I are observed to be exponential, and the decay rates are found to be linearly dependent on the CH₃I concentration. The measured rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with CH₃I are described by the Arrhenius expression k_OH+CH3I = (4.1 ± 2.2) × 10^?12 exp [(?1240 ± 200)K/T] cm³ molecule^?1s^?1. The implications of the reported kinetic results for understanding the CH₃I chemistry of both atmospheric and nuclear industry interests are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 547–556, 2011     

Chemiluminescent ion-molecule reactions in the system C+ + H2

The optical emission resulting from collisions between C⁺ ions and H₂ gas was measured in the energy range 2 to 20 eV_c.m.. The observed spectrum consists mainly of the CH⁺ A ¹Π → X ¹Σ⁺ band system; CH⁺ (A ^fΠ) is shown to be formed in the chemiluminescent reactio: C⁺(²P⁰) + H₂ → CH⁺(A ¹Π) + H(²S). The energy dependence of the emission cross section was measured. The occurrence of this reaction is discussed in terms of a electronic state correlation diagram for the system.     

Perturbations in the B3Π(0+) state of CIF: A new low-lying electronic state

Perturbations in the relational structure of the high-resolution laser excitation spectrum of the B³Π(O⁺-X¹Σ⁺ system of CIF have been observed. Details of these perturbations are given and are used to infer details about the perturbing state.     

The a3Π0+,1-X1Σ+ emission systems of SnH+

New visible emission systems have been observed from the helium afterglow reaction of SnH₄. On the basis of the rotational analysis, they were interpreted as the a³Π_0⁻-X¹Σ⁺ and a³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ subsystems of SnH⁺. Spectroscopic constants have been obtained for the a³Π_0⁺ and X¹Σ⁺ states.     

Absolute and relative emission cross sections for electron impact on CH3F,CH2F2 and CHF3

Emission spectra following electron impact on CH₃F, CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ at various energies have been investigated in the spectral region from 200 nm to 700 nm. Emission thresholds and excitation functions for atomic and molecular fragments have been determined. Absolute emission cross sections were obtained for two band systems, ^{A 2} Δ → X ² Π, C ² Σ⁺ → X ² Π, observed in the emission spectrum of CH₃F and for the H-Balmer radiation, H _α ? H _γ, in the spectra of all compounds. The continuous emission between 200 nm and 400 nm in the spectra of CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ has been examined systematically. It was found that CF₂(Ã) is the main precursor in both spectra.     

Emission spectra produced from thermal energy charge transfer reactions of Ar+ ions with CS and PN radicals

CS⁺(B²Σ⁺-A²Π_i) and PN⁺(B²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺) emissions were observed for υ′ = 0 and 1 from argon afterglow reactions of CS and PN radicals. The rotational constant (B₀) of the CS⁺(B) state was estimated to be 0.696±0.002 cm^?1 from the difference between band head and band origin. The dependence of each emission intensity on the voltage applied to the ion-collector grids and on the argon pressure indicated that Ar⁺ was a plausible candidate. Vibrational populations of the CS⁺(B) and PN⁺(B) states obtained from the emission spectra shifted to lower vibrational levels in comparison with those expected from the energy resonance and Franck-Condon factors for ionization. This is explainable as the distortion of target radicals by approach of reactant ions.     

Laser excited fluorescence of CH in a low pressure flame

Production of CH(X²Π) in a low pressure H/O/C₂H₂ flame has been observed by laser excited fluorescence in the 0, 0 band of the A² Δ ← X²Π system at 431 nm. Laser excitation spectra have been recorded of the P, Q, and R branches with a bandwidth of 0.03 nm and of the head of the Q branch with a bandwidth of 0.0009 nm. Values of the spin—orbit and spin—rotation coupling constants in the A²Δ state have been obtained.     

Absorption spectra of SiCl4, Si2Cl6, SiF3CH3 and GeF4 in the VUV region

In the range 110–200 nm the absorption features of Si₂Cl₆ closely resemble those of SiCl₄ and the peaks observed are tentatively assigned to the Rydberg transitions of a Cl lone-pair electron. Two diffuse bands in the SiF₃CH₃ absorption are also assigned to Rydberg excitations. The spectrum of GeF₄ shows a broad band considered to be a valence excitation of the outermost orbital. The emission of the SiCl₂ (ùB₁→X̃¹A₁) transition was found in the photoexcitation of Si₂Cl₆.