Electronic states and spin-forbidden cooling transitions of AlH and AlF

The feasibility of laser cooling AlH and AlF is investigated using ab initio quantum chemistry. All the electronic states corresponding to the ground and lowest two excited states of the Al atom are calculated using multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) and the large AV6Z basis set for AlH. The smaller AVQZ basis set is used to calculate the valence electronic states of AlF. Theoretical Franck-Condon factors are determined for the A(1)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transitions in both radicals and found to agree with the highly diagonal factors found experimentally, suggesting computational chemistry is an effective method for screening suitable laser cooling candidates. AlH does not appear to have a transition quite as diagonal as that in SrF (which has been laser cooled) but the A(1)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transition transition of AlF is a strong candidate for cooling with just a single laser, though the cooling frequency is deep in the UV. Furthermore, the a(3)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transitions are also strongly diagonal and in AlF is a practical method for obtaining very low final temperatures around 3 μK.     

Vibronic coupling and radiative transitions

A dynamical treatment of vibration-induced radiative transitions is given by considering the relevant electronic wavefunction to be dependent on both the position and the velocity of the nuclei along some specific (antisymmetrical) vibrational co-ordinate.     

Vibrationally selective radiative and non-radiative transitions in gaseous hydrogen molecules

An efficient vibrationally selective technique to build-up the v″=1 vibrational levels in gaseous hydrogen is demonstrated using stimulated Raman pumping (SRP). Both photo-acoustic Raman spectroscopy (PARS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) are used to study non-radiative and radiative (v″=0 and v″=1) transitions in gaseous H(2) molecules. The population fraction in the v″=1 vibrational level has been estimated using combined photo-acoustic and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy with stimulated Raman pumping.     

Electronic transitions in mono-olefinic hydrocarbons

Investigation of the onset of absorption in the spectra of liquid mono-olefins reveals transitions which seem too intense to be of a triplet singlet nature. Comparison with calculated intensities and excitation energies suggests that an R ^*N(*) assignment migth be appropriate.The R(3s)N transitions in the vapor spectra have been re-investigated and f-numbers have been estimated. Comparison with calculated intensities indicates that this transition might gain part of its intensity via vibronic stealing from the VN transition. This mechanism is shown to offer a possible — but by no means unique — explanation for the vibrational structure of the R(3s)N transition of cyclopentene.Self-pressure dependence of the R(3s)N transition in mono-olefins indicates, as do MO calculations, that the 3s Rydberg orbital is neither as diffuse nor as atomic-like as it is usually assumed to be in these molecules.

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Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung des Absorptionsbeginns in den Spektren flüssiger Monoolefine zeigt Übergänge, die zu intensiv erscheinen, um vom Triplet-Singlet-Typ zu sein. Der Vergleich mit berechneten Intensitäten und Anregungsenergien läßt vermuten, daß eine Zuordnung R ^*N(^*) richtig sein könnte.Die R(3s)N-Übergänge in der Dampfphase wurden untersucht und die f-Werte abgeschätzt. Der Vergleich mit berechneten Intensitäten zeigt, daß dieser Übergang ein Teil seiner Intensität über vibronische Wehcselwirkung vom VN-Übergang gewinnen könnte. Es wird gezeigt, daß dieser Mechanismus eine mögliche — aber keineswegs eindeutige Erklärung für die Schwingungsstruktur des R(3s)N-Übergangs von Cyclopenten darstellt.Die Abhängigkeit des R(3s)N-Übergangs vom Eigendruck in Monoolefinen zeigt, ebenso wie MO-Rechnungen, daß das 3s-Rydberg-Orbital weder so diffus noch so atomartig ist, wie es normalerweise in diesen Moelkülen angenommen wird.

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Résumé L'étude de l'absorption dans les spectres des mono-oléfines liquides révèle des transitions qui semblent trop intêses pour être du type tripletsingulet. La comparaison avec les intensités et les énergies calculées suggère une identification du type R ^*N(*).Les transitions R(3s)N dans le spectre en phase vapeur ont été réétudiées et l'on a évalué les nombres f. La comparaison avec les intensités calculées indique que cette transition acquiert une partie de son intensité par couplage vibronique à partir de la transition VN. Ce mécanisme offre une explication possible — mais certainement pas unique — pour la structure vibrationnelle de la transition R(3s)N du cyclopentene.La dépendance à la pression propre de la transition R(3s)N dans les mono-oléfines indique, comme d'ailleurs les calculs O.M., que l'orbitale Rydberg 3s n'est ni aussi diffuse ni aussi atomique qu'on le suppose d'habitude dans ces molécules.

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Supported by the United States Air Force and The United States Atomic Energy Commission—Biology Branch via Grants to the Louisiana State University.     

Electronic transitions in mono-olefinic hydrocarbons

Mulliken-Wolfsberg-Helmholz calculations have been performed on ethylene and methyl-substituted ethylenes. The Mulliken assignment (i.e., that the transition between 5–7 eV isR(3s)N in nature) is validated. Spin-orbit coupling calculations indicate that the weakest olefin band at 2700 Å is too intense to be triplet singlet, as is usually assumed. However, behaviour of a predicted low-energyR ^*(3s, 2s)N transition agrees well with the characteristics of these weak bands in the absorption spectra of liquid olefins. That these trends are believable is supported by the accuracy with which the computations predict the experimental changes of ionization potential andVN transition energy caused by increased methylation. In particular, it is predicted that the excitation energy of theVN transition should be strongly dependent on molecular geometry — in agreement with experiment. It is suggested, on the basis of intensity calculations, that theR(3s)N transition gains part of its intensity, at least,via vibronic stealing from theVN transition. Computations on cyclic olefins predict the possibility of several low-lying ^* transitions; the unusual broadening of theVN transition in these molecules may possibly be associated with this complexity. Computations on methylene cycloalkanes and cycloalkylidene-cycloalkanes reveal that-strain can lead to low-lying ^* (valence-shell) transitions. In general, it is found that the 3s atomic orbital can mix appreciably, in both bonding and antibonding combinations, with valence-shell orbitals.

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Zusammenfassung Mulliken-Wolfsberg-Helmholz-Rechnungen werden für Äthylen und eine Reihe methylsubstituierter Äthylene durchgeführt. Die Mullikenzuordnung [d. h. der Übergang zwischen 5 –7 eV entsprichtR(3s)N] wird daraufhin für zutreffend erklärt. Spin-Bahn-Kopplungs-Berechnungen deuten darauf hin, daß das schwächste Olefinband bei 2700 Å zu intensiv ist, um — wie gewöhnlich angenommen —in Triplett-Singulett-Übergang zu sein. Andererseits stimmt das Verhalten eines energetisch tief liegendenR ^*(3s, 2s)N-Übergangs gut mit den Charakteristika dieser schwachen Banden im Absorptionsspektrum der flüssigen Olefine überein. Daß diese Interpretation möglich ist, wird auch durch die Genauigkeit unterstützt, mit der eine Berechnung die experimentell gefundene Änderung von Ionisations- undVN-Übergangsenergie bei zunehmender Methylierung ergibt. Insbesondere wird auch vorhergesagt, daß die Anregungsenergie desVN-Übergangs stark von der molekularen Geometrie abhängt — in Übereinstimmung mit dem Experiment. Es wird deshalb auf Grund einer Intensitätsberechnung vorgeschlagen, daß derR(3s)N-Übergang zumindest einen Teil seiner Intensität durch eine Schwingungs-Anleihe vomVN-Übergang gewinnt. Berechnungen für cyclische Olefine weisen auf verschieden niedrig liegende ^*-Übergänge hin; die ungewöhnliche Verbreitung derVN-Bande bei diesen Molekülen kann möglicherweise damit zusammenhängen. Berechnungen der Methyl-cycloalkane und der Cycloalkylidin-cycloalkane zeigen, daß eine Spannung im-Gerüst zu einem tief liegenden ^*-(Valenz-) Übergang führen kann. Im allgemeinen zeigt sich, daß 3s-Zustände merklich an Valenzzuständen beteiligt sein können, und zwar sowohl bei bindenden als auch bei lockernden Molekülzuständen.

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Résumé Des calculs Mulliken-Wolfsberg-Helmholz ont été effectués sur l'éthylène et sur la série des éthylènes méthyl-substitués. Ces calculs confirment l'assignation de Mulliken: la transition entre 5–7 eV est de natureNR(3s). Des calculs de couplage spin-orbite montrent que la bande oléfinique la plus faible à 2700 Å est trop intense pour être une transition singulet-triplet comme on le suppose généralement. Cependant, le comportement d'une transition théorique de faible énergieNR ^* (3s, 2s) est en accord avec les caractéristiques de ces faibles bandes dans le spectre d'absorption des oléfines liquides. La vraisemblance de ce point de vue est renforcée par la précision avec laquelle les calculs prédisent l'évolution des potentiels d'ionisation, et des énergies des transitionsNV par méthylation croissante. En particulier, il est prévu que l'énergie d'excitationNV dépend fortement de la géométrie moléculaire ce qui est en accord avec l'expérience. On suggère sur la base de calculs d'intensité que la transitionNR (3s) tire une partie de son intensité au moins par transfert vibronique à partir de la transitionNV. Des calculs sur des oléfines cycliques prédisent la possibilité de plusieurs transitions ^* de faible énergie; l'élargissement inhabituel de la transitionN V dans ces molécules pourrait provenir de cette situation. Des calculs sur les méthylène-cycloalkanes et les cycloalkylidène cycloalkanes révèlent la possibilité pour une tension de provoquer l'existence de transitions ^* (couche de valence) de faible énergie. On trouve qu'en général les orbitales atomiques 3s peuvent se mélanger d'une manière appréciable aux orbitales de la couche de valence donnant des combinaisons liantes et antiliantes.

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Supported by The United States Air Force and The United States Atomic Energy Commission-Biology Branchvia Grants to the Louisiana State University.     

On the theory of radiative transitions in centrosymmetric complexes

The theory of radiative transitions, in centrosymmetric complexes, is examined in great detail, within the framework of the crystal field method.In connection with radiative transitions, the current method of calculations, with and without invoking closure approximation, are considered from a purely theoretical point of view, by taking advantage of the irreducible tensor method put forward by Griffith.Explicit equations are derived throughout the course of this work to account for the vibronic electric dipole moments, associated with d-d and f-f type of excitations.At high Academy of Pedagogic Sciences, Santiago, Chile.     

External heavy atom effect on radiative spin-forbidden transitions

A general model for the external heavy atom effect on radiative transitions within the framework of the dynamic coupling model is proposed. The two different mechanisms are considered, the spin-orbit coupling mechanism and the polarizability mechanism. The question of whether the polarizability of the heavy atom perturber determines the magnitudes of the effect is discussed.     

Electronic transitions in 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives

Single electronic transitions in 1,4-naphthoquinone and seven of its derivatives substituted in the quinoid system have been theoretically studied semi-empirical SCF MO CI calculations, in the frame of π and all valence electron (AVE) approximations. Dipole electrostatic contributions to the shifts originating from the solvent have been calculated and the local nature of the most significant transitions has been analyzed. The results agree satisfactorily with experiment, showing the effects of the substituents, which in some cases are underestimated.     

Electronic transitions in C60 and its ions

The electronic spectrum of C₆₀ is calculated using quantum mechanical methods. The first allowed transition in C₆₀ is calculated at an energy of 3.5 eV and with an oscillator strength of 0.09. Several transitions are found at higher energies with comparatively strong oscillator strengths, the strongest one being at 5.78 eV (λ=214 nm). The calculated energy level diagram of C₆₀ is also used to predict wavelengths for transitions in C ₆₀ ⁺ and C ₆₀ ^? . A comparison is made with some recently observed diffuse interstellar bands at 1180 nm and 1320 nm, which have been speculated to originate from C ₆₀ ⁺ .     

Electronic transitions and vibronic coupling in neptunyl compounds

The low-lying electronic transitions of the neptunyl (NpO(2)(2+)) ion are characterized as either charge transfer (CT) or intra- 5f. Comparison of these classes of electronic transitions reveals significantly different photophysical properties, especially in vibronic coupling. An empirical model developed for analyses of uranyl CT vibronic transitions is used here to simulate the absorption (excitation) spectra of neptunyl in two compounds of different chemical compositions and structural symmetries. Analyses reveal that CT vibronic coupling in neptunyl has the same characteristics as that in typical uranyl analogues. The primary profile of the CT spectra is similar for neptunyl respectively with respect to chloride- and oxide-neptunium bonding interactions. On the other hand, vibronic coupling to the CT transitions is significantly different from that of f-f transitions, even within a given neptunyl compound. Electronic energy levels, vibronic coupling strength, and frequencies of various vibration modes were evaluated for transitions to the excited states of different origins in the region from 8000 cm(-1) to 21000 cm(-1) for two neptunyl compounds.     

Electronic transitions of cobalt monoboride

Electronic transition spectrum of cobalt monoboride (CoB) in the visible region between 495 and 560 nm has been observed and analyzed using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. CoB molecule was produced by the reaction of laser-ablated cobalt atom and diborane (B(2)H(6)) seeded in argon. Fifteen vibrational bands with resolved rotational structure have been recorded, which included transitions of both Co(10)B and Co(11)B isotopic species. Our analysis showed that the observed transition bands are ΔΩ = 0 transitions with Ω" = 2 and Ω" = 3 lower states. Four transition systems have been assigned, namely, the [18.1](3)Π(2)-X(3)Δ(2), the [18.3](3)Φ(3)-X(3)Δ(3), the [18.6]3- X(3)Δ(3), and the [19.0]2-X(3)Δ(2) systems. The bond length, r(o), of the X(3)Δ(3) state of CoB is determined to be 1.705 ?. The observed rotational lines showed unresolved hyperfine structure arising from the nuclei, which conforms to the Hund's case (a(β)) coupling scheme. This work represents the first experimental investigation of the CoB spectrum.     

Electronic transitions of aluminum monoxide

In view of the renewed interest in the electronic spectra of the AlO molecule, which is of both astrophysical and aeronomical interest, a systematic analysis of the available spectral data is carried out. A valid and consistent set of vibrational constants are derived for the A and D states of the molecule. Potential curves (Morse and RKRV) are obtained for the X, A, C and D states. Franck-Condon (FC) intensity factors and r-centroids are reported for the CX, DX and DA transitions. The calculated FC-factors are used to explain the intensity distribution of the bands in the various systems.     

Electronic transitions of polysilanes and their photochemistry

The photolytic fragmentation of trisilane to disilane and silylene has been studied by means of a pseudopotential method. The lower-lying electronically excited states in several of the silanes have been calculated and analysed with respect to their Rydberg character, with the inclusion of d orbitals. The effect of methylation on the stability of the silicon-silicon bond, as well as on the above photochemical model reaction, is discussed. An orbital correlation diagram with defined energy levels is presented.     

Electronic propensity rule for radiationless transitions

We show theoretically and empirically that non-radiative rate constants tend to vary in accordance with competing radiative rate constants. The analysis is used to compare intersystem crossings and heavy-atlom effects in aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Electronic states of Mn microclusters

Electronic states of Mn _n ⁺ microclusters forn=4～7 are calculated by the spin-polarized DV-Xα-LCAO method. The energy levels of valence electrons are composed of two parts, the dense levels which contain much 3d electron components and the sparse levels which contain much 4s electron components. The distribution of the 4s electron levels roughly corresponds to that of one-electron orbitals in the shell model. The highest occupied level of the Mn ₅ ⁺ microcluster is located at a 4s electron level, which is filled with electrons, whereas those of the other microclusters are located at partially filled 4s levels or at dense 3d levels. These results explain the origin of the magic numbers observed in Mn cation microclusters.     

Resolution and structural transitions of elongated states of ubiquitin

Electrospray ionization, combined with two-dimensional ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry, is used to produce, select, and activate distributions of elongated ions, [M + 11H]11+ to [M + 13H]13+, of ubiquitin. The analysis makes it possible to examine state-to-state transitions for structural types, and transition diagrams associated with the efficiencies of structural changes are presented. The +11 and +12 charge states can form four resolvable states while only one state is formed for [M + 13H]13+. Some conformations, which appear to belong to the same family based on mobility analysis of different charge states, undergo similar transitions, others do not. Activation of ions that exist in low-abundance conformations, having mobilities that fall in between sharp peaks associated with higher abundances species, shows that the low-abundance forms undergo efficient (approximately 90 to 100%) conversion into states associated with well-defined peaks. This efficiency is significantly higher than the approximately 10 to 60% efficiency of transitions of structures associated with well-defined peaks. The formation of sharp features from a range of low-intensity species with different cross sections indicates that large regions of conformation space must be unfavorable or inaccessible in the gas phase. These results are compared with several previous IMS measurements of this system as well as information about gas-phase structure provided by other techniques.     

Theoretical and experimental studies of radiative lifetimes of excited electronic states in CO

The electronic dipole transition moment functions of the A ²Π-X ²Σ⁺, B ²Σ⁺-X ²Σ⁺ and B ²Σ⁺-A ²Π transitions and the dipole moment function of the X ²Σ⁺ state of CO⁺ have been calculated using large contracted CI wavefunctions. The computed transition moment functions together with experimental potential energy curves were used to obtain radiative lifetimes of the excited electronic states B ²Σ⁺ and A ²Π. Radiative lifetimes of vibrational levels of the X ²Σ⁺ state were derived from the calculated dipole moment function. The high-frequency deflection technique was used to obtain radiative lifetimes of the ν′ = 0, 1,2 and 3 vibrational levels of the B ²Σ⁺ state and also radiative lifetimes of individual rotational levels of ν′ =0. The calculated radiative lifetimes are shorter than the measured ones by about 10%. The experimental ν′ dependence is reproduced by theoretical calculation. The calculated radiative lifetimes for the A ²Π state are in excellent agreement with lifetimes measured with an ion trap technique.