Single‐beam coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of gas‐phase CO2 via phase and polarization shaping of a broadband continuum

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of gas‐phase CO₂ is demonstrated using a single femtosecond (fs) laser beam. A shaped ultrashort laser pulse with a transform‐limited temporal width of ∼7 fs and spectral bandwidth of ∼225 nm (∼3500 cm⁻¹) is employed for simultaneous excitation of the CO₂ Fermi dyads at ∼1285 and ∼1388 cm⁻¹. CARS signal intensities for the two Raman transitions and their ratio as a function of pressure are presented. The signal‐to‐noise ratio of the single beam–generated CO₂ CARS signal is sufficient to perform concentration measurements at a rate of 1 kHz. The implications of these experiments for measuring CO₂ concentrations and rapid pressure fluctuations in hypersonic and detonation‐based chemically reacting flows are also discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CARS investigation of collisional shift of the hydrogen Q‐branch transitions by water at high temperatures

A high‐resolution (∼0.1 cm⁻¹) spectroscopic method based on the application of a Fabry–Pérot interferometer to the spectral analysis of the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal from an individual Raman transition was used to obtain single‐shot spectra of hydrogen Q‐branch transitions directly in the flame of a pulsed, high‐pressure H₂/O₂ combustion chamber. Simultaneously with the Fabry–Pérot pattern, a broadband CARS spectrum of the complete H₂Q ‐branch structure was recorded in order to measure the temperature of the probe volume. During every cycle of the combustion chamber, a pressure pulse together with single‐shot CARS spectra, providing information on individual line shapes and medium temperature, was recorded. On the basis of the experimental data, the temperature dependences of lineshift coefficients for several Q‐branch lines of hydrogen molecules under collisions with water molecules were determined in the temperature range 2100 < T < 3500 K, and an empirical ‘fitting law’ for H₂ H₂O lineshift coefficients is proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Single‐crystal diffraction at the Extreme Conditions beamline P02.2: procedure for collecting and analyzing high‐pressure single‐crystal data

Fast detectors employed at third‐generation synchrotrons have reduced collection times significantly and require the optimization of commercial as well as customized software packages for data reduction and analysis. In this paper a procedure to collect, process and analyze single‐crystal data sets collected at high pressure at the Extreme Conditions beamline (P02.2) at PETRA III, DESY, is presented. A new data image format called `Esperanto' is introduced that is supported by the commercial software package CrysAlis^Pro (Agilent Technologies UK Ltd). The new format acts as a vehicle to transform the most common area‐detector data formats via a translator software. Such a conversion tool has been developed and converts tiff data collected on a Perkin Elmer detector, as well as data collected on a MAR345/555, to be imported into the CrysAlis^Pro software. In order to demonstrate the validity of the new approach, a complete structure refinement of boron‐mullite (Al₅BO₉) collected at a pressure of 19.4 (2) GPa is presented. Details pertaining to the data collections and refinements of B‐mullite are presented.     

Periodic density functional theory study of the high‐pressure behavior of crystalline 7,2′‐anhydro‐β‐d‐arabinosylorotidine

In this work, a detailed study of the structural, electronic, and absorption properties of crystalline 7,2′‐anhydro‐β‐d ‐arabinosylorotidine (Cyclo ara‐O) in the pressure range of 0–350 GPa is performed by density functional theory calculations. The detail analysis of the crystal with increasing pressure shows that complex transformations occur in Cyclo ara‐O under compression. In addition, the b‐direction is much stiffer than the a‐ and c‐axis at 0–330 GPa, suggesting that the Cyclo ara‐O crystal is anisotropic in the certain pressure region. In the pressure range of 110–290 GPa, repeated formations and disconnections of covalent bonds in O7–O6* and C3–C6* occur several times, resulting in a new six‐atom ring that forms at 220, 270, and 290 GPa, while a five‐atom ring and seven‐atom ring form between two adjacent molecules at 300 and 340 GPa, respectively. Then, the analysis of the band gap and DOS (PDOS) of Cyclo ara‐O indicates that its electronic character has changed at 300 GPa into an excellent insulator, but the electron transition is much easier at 350 GPa. Moreover, the relatively high optical activity with the pressure increases of Cyclo ara‐O is seen from the absorption spectra, and two obvious structural transformations are also observed at 180 and 230 GPa, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Free‐space coupling of nanoantennas and whispering‐gallery microcavities with narrowed linewidth and enhanced sensitivity

Due to the broad scattering spectral profiles, localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of Pd nanoparticles have low resolution and limited sensitivity for hydrogen detection. In this work, we use a simple light‐irradiation method to demonstrate that free‐space light can be efficiently coupled into and from the microfiber whispering‐gallery modes (WGMs) by the Pd nanoantennas. The nanoantenna–microfiber cavity system provides strong intermodal coupling between LSPRs and WGMs, and induces significant modulation of the scattering spectra. A measured full width at half‐maximum of 3.2 nm at 622.7 nm is obtained, which is the narrowest in Pd nanoparticle‐based LSPR structures reported up to now. The ultranarrow resonances offer enhanced sensitivity to hydrogen gas detection with a figure of merit reaching ∼2.22. Other advantages of the Pd nanoantenna–microfiber cavity system including independence of precise alignment of excitation light, large tunability of the resonant wavelengths, easy and low‐cost fabrication of the system, have also been demonstrated.

     

The effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone in methanol: A TD‐DFT study

Excited‐state intermolecular or intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction has important potential applications in biological probes. In this paper, the effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer reaction of the 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone (MQ) dye in methanol solvent is investigated by the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory approaches. Both the primary structure parameters and infrared vibrational spectra analysis of MQ and its benzo‐analogue 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐benzo‐quinolone (MBQ) show that the intermolecular hydrogen bond O₁―H₂?O₃ significantly strengthens in the excited state, whereas another intermolecular hydrogen bond O₃―H₄?O₅ weakens slightly. Simulated electron absorption and fluorescence spectra are agreement with the experimental data. The noncovalent interaction analysis displays that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of MQ are obviously stronger than that of MBQ. Additionally, the energy profile analysis via the proton transfer reaction pathway illustrates that the ESIPT reaction of MBQ is relatively harder than that of MQ. Therefore, the effect of benzo‐annelation of the MQ dye weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bond and relatively inhibits the proton transfer reaction.     

In operando quantitation of Li concentration for a commercial Li‐ion rechargeable battery using high‐energy X‐ray Compton scattering

Compton scattering is one of the most promising probes for quantitating Li under in operando conditions, since high‐energy X‐rays, which have high penetration power, are used as the incident beam and the Compton‐scattered energy spectrum has specific line‐shapes for each element. An in operando quantitation method to determine the Li composition in electrodes has been developed by using line‐shape (S‐parameter) analysis of the Compton‐scattered energy spectrum. In this study, S‐parameter analysis has been applied to a commercial coin cell Li‐ion rechargeable battery and the variation of the S‐parameters during the charge/discharge cycle at the positive and negative electrodes has been obtained. By using calibration curves for Li composition in the electrodes, the change in Li composition of the positive and negative electrodes has been determined using the S‐parameters simultaneously.     

FT‐Raman,FT‐IR spectra and DFT calculations on monomeric and dimeric structures of 5‐fluoro‐ and 5‐chloro‐salicylic acid

The experimental and theoretical study on the structures and vibrations of 5‐fluoro‐salicylic acid and 5‐chloro‐salicylic acid (5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA, C₇H₅FO₃ and C₇H₅ClO₃) is presented. The Fourier transform infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and the Fourier transform Raman spectra (4000–50 cm⁻¹) of the title molecules in the solid phase were recorded. The molecular structures, vibrational wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman intensities and Raman scattering activities were calculated for a pair of molecules linked by the intermolecular O H···O hydrogen bond. The geometrical parameters and energies of 5‐FSA and 5ClSA were obtained for all eight conformers/isomers from density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP) with 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set calculations. The computational results identified the most stable conformer of 5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA as the C1 form. The complete assignments were performed on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The spectroscopic and theoretical results were compared with the corresponding properties for 5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA monomers and dimer of C1 conformer. The optimized bond lengths, bond angles and calculated wavenumbers showed the best agreement with the experimental results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurement of C2 and CH temperatures in argon‐acetylene low‐pressure microwave‐induced plasma

The emission spectra of C₂(d³Π_g–a³Π_u), CH(A²Δ–X²Π), and CH(B²Σ–X²Π) bands are analysed to measure rotational T_rot, vibrational T_vib, and gas temperature T_g from Ar/C₂H₂ (5–20% C₂H₂) microwave‐induced plasma (MIP). In case when helium and hydrogen are used in the gas mixture instead of argon, no significant change in T_rot is noticed. Both studied temperatures are insensitive in terms of the C₂H₂ percentage. From CH(0–0, A²Δ–X²Π) band R₂ branch lines, two T_rot (T_rot ～ 520–580 K for J′ = 3–9 and T_rot ～ 1,700–1,800 K for J′ = 10–17) are determined. The lower T_rot equals the T_g (500–700 K) measured from C₂ bands in this study. The H₂ Fulcher‐α diagonal bands are recorded as well in the H₂/C₂H₂ mixtures and T_rot～750–900 K of the H₂ ground state measured. T_vib ～ 6,000 K in Ar/C₂H₂ MIP is calculated from the integral intensity ratio of C₂(2,1) and C₂(3,2) bands.     

Binary mixture of p‐methylbenzaldehyde with polar and nonpolar solvents

In this work, a combined theoretical and experimental study of binary mixture of liquid p‐methylbenzaldehyde (PMBz) is reported using ab initio calculations as well as Raman and IR spectroscopies. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to describe the interaction of PMBz in terms of bonding energies and preferred geometries; and secondly, to characterize the spectroscopic effects on the vibrational modes of PMBz in the binary mixture of different polar and nonpolar solvents. The three vibrational modes, namely, carbonyl stretching, ν(C CH₃) and aldehydic (C H) vibrations have been analyzed in all the three solvents in different concentrations. The dependence of Raman linewidth on the concentration of PMBz of these modes was also taken into account. By analyzing the peak position and linewidth of these modes, it is seen that the solute–solvent interaction is stronger in BuOH and 1,2 dichloroethane (DCE) because of the hydrogen‐bonding interaction between these molecules. The formation of C H···O hydrogen bonds in liquid p‐methylbenzaldehyde is also investigated by Gaussian fitting. The ab initio calculations suggest several possible dimer configurations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and vibrational spectroscopic studies on binary mixture of o‐chlorobenzaldehyde

In this work, a combined theoretical and spectroscopic study of binary mixture of liquid o‐chlorobenzaldehyde (OCBZ) is reported using ab initio calculations, Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to describe the interaction of OCBZ in terms of bonding energies and preferred geometries; secondly, to characterize the spectroscopic effects on the vibrational modes of OCBZ in the binary mixture of different polar and nonpolar solvents. Ab initio calculations have proven to be a valuable tool for predicting relevant molecular structure and molecular parameters in the intermolecular interactions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies of L‐valinium picrate

The vibrational assignments of the observed wavenumbers have been made by analyzing the infrared and Raman spectra of L ‐valinium picrate in the crystalline state at room temperature. L ‐Valinium acts as the cation of the crystal and the carbonyl CO group exists in the protonated form in it. Asymmetric deformation and symmetric deformation modes of the isopropyl group have been identified, indicating that the two CH₃ groups are in different environments. The stretching and bending modes of the various functional groups have been shifted owing to the extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal. The symmetry of the picrate anion has not been modified in the crystal by the hydrogen bonding with the cation. Fermi resonance is also observed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectral studies on charge transfer and ionic hydrogen‐bonding interactions of nonlinear optical material L‐arginine nitrate hemihydrate

The near infrared Fourier‐transform (NIR FT)‐Raman and Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopies supported by HF/6‐31G(d) computations have been employed to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers and the first hyperpolarizability of the nonlinear optical (NLO) material, L ‐arginine nitrate (LAN) hemihydrate. The reasonable NLO efficiency, predicted for the first time in this novel compound, has been confirmed by Kurtz–Perry powder second harmonic generation (SHG) experiments. The changes in the atomic charge distribution among different groups due to the presence of strong electronegative atoms and the shrinking of N O bonds of nitrate anion and C N bonds of guanidyl group have been analyzed. The splitting of the carboxylate stretching modes, blue shifting of methine vibrations and the electronic effects such as backdonation and induction on the methylene hydrogen atoms have also been examined in detail. The intense low wavenumber H‐bond Raman vibrations due to electron–phonon coupling and nonbonded interactions in making the LAN molecule NLO active have been discussed based on the vibrational spectral features. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and HF computations confirm the occurrence of strong intra‐ and intermolecular N H·O and O H·O ionic hydrogen bonding between charged species providing the noncentrosymmetric structure in the LAN crystal. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visualization of β‐carotene and starch granules in plant cells using CARS and SHG microscopy

Information on the content and bioavailability of provitamin A carotenoids, such as β‐carotene, in plant foods is of great interest due to the widespread vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. While the amount of β‐carotene can readily be quantified with analytical techniques, there is limited information on β‐carotene morphology in native plant materials. Here, we introduce nonlinear microscopy for three‐dimensional, label‐free imaging of carotenoids in fresh and thermally treated plant tissues, providing quantitative information at single‐aggregate level and detailed insight into their distribution. Carotenoids in orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), carrot, and mango were visualized by coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy and, in the case of OFSP, related to the plant‐matrix morphology by simultaneous second‐harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy of starch granules. Sizes, shapes, densities, and location of different types of carotenoid bodies were quantified. While OFSP and carrot showed heterogeneous rod‐shaped bodies with high carotenoid densities indicated by higher CARS signals, the carotenoid‐filled lipid droplets in mango appeared as homogeneous low‐density aggregates of rounded shape. In addition, β‐carotene densities and morphologies in OFSP were studied after thermal processing, showing that the bodies remain intact despite significant changes of the surrounding starch granules. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equation‐of‐state studies of high‐energy‐density matter using intense ion beams at the Facility for Antiprotons and Ion Research

This paper describes an experiment design based on numerical simulations to measure the equation‐of‐state properties of high‐energy‐density (HED) matter using intense particle beams. The simulations are performed using a 2D hydrodynamic computer code, BIG2, while the beam parameters are considered to match the Facility for Antiprotons and Ion Research beam. This study has shown that in such experiments one can generate different phases of HED lead. Similar calculations are planned for other materials.     

In situ rheological measurements at extreme pressure and temperature using synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and radiography

Dramatic technical progress seen over the past decade now allows the plastic properties of materials to be investigated under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. Coupling of high‐pressure apparatuses with synchrotron radiation significantly improves the quantification of differential stress and specimen textures from X‐ray diffraction data, as well as specimen strains and strain rates by radiography. This contribution briefly reviews the recent developments in the field and describes state‐of‐the‐art extreme‐pressure deformation devices and analytical techniques available today. The focus here is on apparatuses promoting deformation at pressures largely in excess of 3 GPa, namely the diamond anvil cell, the deformation‐DIA apparatus and the rotational Drickamer apparatus, as well as on the methods used to carry out controlled deformation experiments while quantifying X‐ray data in terms of materials rheological parameters. It is shown that these new techniques open the new field of in situ investigation of materials rheology at extreme conditions, which already finds multiple fundamental applications in the understanding of the dynamics of Earth‐like planet interior.     

Analysis of structure and vibrational spectra of 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoicacid based on density functional theory calculations

The spectra of 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) have been recorded using Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and FT‐Raman measurements. The total energy calculations of DHBA were evaluated for various possible conformers. The spectra were interpreted with the help of normal coordinate analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) using standard B3LYP/6–31G* method for the most optimized geometry. The effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding was discussed. Normal coordinate calculations were performed with the DFT force field corrected by a recommended set of scaling factors, yielding fairly good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. On the basis of the comparison between calculated and experimental results, assignments of fundamental modes were examined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental vibrational spectra (Raman,infrared) and DFT calculations on monomeric and dimeric structures of 2‐ and 6‐bromonicotinic acid

In this work, the Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of 2‐bromonicotinic acid and 6‐bromonicotinic acid (abbreviated as 2‐BrNA and 6‐BrNA, C₆H₄BrNO₂) have been recorded in the region 4000–400 and 3500–50 cm⁻¹. The optimum molecular geometry, normal mode wavenumbers, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities, corresponding vibrational assignments and intermolecular hydrogen bonds were investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method using 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. Reliable vibrational assignments were made on the basis of total energy distribution (TED) calculated with scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) method. From the calculations, the molecules are predicted to exist predominantly as the C1 conformer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deconvolution of Raman spectra for the quantification of ternary high‐pressure phase equilibria composed of carbon dioxide,water and organic solvent

The paper reports on a routine to extract the composition of multi‐component mixtures from their Raman spectra at elevated pressures. The strategy is based on fitting weighted Raman spectra of the pure compounds to the measured Raman spectrum of the mixture, also considering the effects of intermolecular interactions onto the Raman spectra by applying Gaussian and Voigt profile deconvolution of the Raman peaks. Thereby, an improved accuracy compared to previous evaluation strategies could be obtained. The more accurate data of the ternary mixtures of carbon dioxide, water and organic solvents are presented. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A furnace and environmental cell for the in situ investigation of molten salt electrolysis using high‐energy X‐ray diffraction

This paper describes the design, construction and implementation of a relatively large controlled‐atmosphere cell and furnace arrangement. The purpose of this equipment is to facilitate the in situ characterization of materials used in molten salt electrowinning cells, using high‐energy X‐ray scattering techniques such as synchrotron‐based energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction. The applicability of this equipment is demonstrated by quantitative measurements of the phase composition of a model inert anode material, which were taken during an in situ study of an operational Fray–Farthing–Chen Cambridge electrowinning cell, featuring molten CaCl₂ as the electrolyte. The feasibility of adapting the cell design to investigate materials in other high‐temperature environments is also discussed.