Radiation-chemical yield of excited neodymium(III) in laser liquids POCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MCl<Subscript>n</Subscript>-<Superscript>235</Superscript>UO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> (M = Ti,Zr, Sn,or Sb)

Results of measurements of the yield of Nd³⁺ radioluminescence photons in inorganic laser liquids POCl₃-MCl_n-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ (M = Ti, Zr, Sn, or Sb) during homogeneous excitation by uranium α-particles are presented. It was found that the intensity of radioluminescence corresponding to the ⁴ F _3/2 → ⁴ I _11/2 transition in neodymium ions depends on the solvent composition. Data on the radiation-chemical yield, G, of excited neodymium ions in the POCl₃-MCl_n-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ (M = Ti, Zr, Sn, or Sb) system were obtained. At a neodymium concentration of 0.25 mol/l, the values of G for the excited ions were 0.60 ± 0.10, 0.84 ± 0.10, 1.20 ± 0.10, and 1.64 ± 0.16 ion/100 eV in solutions with TiCl₄, ZrCl₄, SnCl₄, and SbCl₅, respectively. The maximum yields of excited ions estimated at G = 1.68 ± 0.10 and 2.20 ± 0.24 ion/100 eV were obtained for the solutions with SnCl₄ and SbCl₅, respectively, at neodymium ion concentrations above 0.4 mol/l.     

Molecular structure of the boron(III) oxide molecule in the SCF approximation

The potential surface for the boron(III) oxide (B₂O₃) ground state has been calculated in restricted HF approximation with a minimal STO—3G basis set. The equilibrium geometry has C_2v symmetry; the corresponding structural parameters are as follows: r(O_i—B₁)= 1.241 Å; r(B_i—O)= 1.341 Å ; ∠B₁QB₂ = 142° and ǒO₁B₁O = 177°. Calculations were also carried out using the SCF-Xα approach for two configurations of B₂O₃ with C_2v and D_∞h symmetry.     

An interpretation of the polarized crystal spectra of Mn(II) and Co(II) in D2h symmetry

Crystals of TMAM_xM′_1?xCl₃ · 2H₂O where TMA = (CH₃)₃NH⁺ and M = Mn²⁺, M′ = Co²⁺ are strikingly pleochroic. The polarized spectra of these highly colored orthorhombic salts are reported and transition assignments are made based on D_2h symmetry. Peaks in the Mn(II) spectra are explained as electric dipole transitions while peaks in the Co(II) spectra are explained as magnetic dipole transitions.     

A classification of metaborate crystals based on Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of crystals built solely of metaborate triangles provide fingerprint identification of three distinct network types. Classified according to increasing cation field strength these are: rings with degenerate intra-annular bonds and D_3h symmetry, distorted rings with alternating intra-annular bonds and C_3h symmetry, as well as chains. The occurrence of each network type has been associated with a characteristic range of cationic field strength. This approach led to the discovery of a hitherto unknown C_3h ring strontium metaborate crystal, with Sr²⁺ cations in 9- or 10-fold coordination to oxygen atoms. The Raman spectra of the mixed cation metaborates Ba₂Ca(B₂O₄)₃ and Ba₂Mg(B₂O₄)₃ confirm their C_3h-ring structure and clearly point to the fact that the synergetic effect of dissimilar cations to the metaborate network cannot be predicted by the additivity of their field strengths.     

Vibrational spectra and force field of terephtalonitrile

The IR and Raman spectra of the two molecules terephtalonitrile and terephtalonitrile-¹⁵N were recorded to permit the general assignment of the vibrational bands observed, in agreement with a D_2h symmetry for these molecules. The general quadratic force field was calculated by the semi-empirical MINDO/3 method from an optimized geometry obtained by the same method. The resulting force field was refined by employing the experimental vibrational frequency data of the two molecules and those of terephtalonitrile-d₄. The final differences between the calculated end experimentally observed frequencies for B_2g and B_3u terephtalonitrile species were within the range ± 0.1 cm⁻¹.     

Optical absorption spectra of an aqueous frozen solution of neodymium chloride at various temperatures and pressures

A dilute aqueous solution of neodymium chloride NdCl₃ has been taken through two thermodynamic cycles along transformations with varying pressure (between 1 bar and 3.3 kbar) and temperature (between 300 K and 77 K). The characteristic optical line absorption spectrum which shows a Stark splitting of the Nd³⁺ electronic levels due to a quasi-crystalline surrounding of the ions appears only in that part of the cycles where pure ice I_h phase would be present. In any other part of the cycles where pure ice phases II, III, IX and I_C would be present such a phenomenon does not exist. It is shown that ice I_h may constitute a frame for neodymium aquo-ions.     

Radiation-chemical yield of excited neodymium(III) ions in phosphorus oxychloride-based aprotic binary solvents

Results of measurements of the yield of radioluminescence photons from Nd³⁺ ions in POCl₃-SnCl₄-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ and POCl₃-ZrCl₄-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ solutions upon homogeneous excitation by uranium α-particles are presented. It was found that the radioluminescence intensity corresponding to the³ F _3/2 →⁴ I _11/2 transition of neodymium ions depends on the solvent composition. The radiation-chemical yield of excited Nd³⁺ ions is proportional to the neodymium concentration, being (1.50 ±0.05) and (0.23 ±0.02) excited ions per 100 eV in POCl₃-SnCl₄-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ and POCl₃-ZrCl₄-²³⁵UO ₂ ²⁺ -Nd³⁺ systems, respectively, at [Nd³⁺] = 0.4 mol/l.     

Infrared and Raman spectra of terephthalonitrile and terephthalonitrile-15N2. Force field for out-of-plane vibrations

A general assignment of the vibrational spectra of terephthalonitrile and terephthalonitrile-¹⁵N₂ is proposed on the basis of their infrared and Raman spectra. The relevant symmetry is found to be D_2h. The force field for the out-of-plane vibrations of these molecules was calculated by refining the general quadratic force field obtained by the semi-empirical MINDO/3 method, starting with a geometry optimized by this method. The refined force field reproduces the observed frequencies of the out-of-plane vibrations to better than ±0.5 cm⁻¹.     

Equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of the O4 molecule

SCF closed shell calculations were performed to determine the equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of the O₄ molecule by means of Payne's method and with the help of the molecule's symmetry coordinates. The equilibrium geometry corresponds to symmetry group D_2d with R = 1.505 Å and h = 0.094 Å. The vibrational frequencies are: ν₅(E) = 885.5 cm^?1, ν₃(B₁) = 1051.9 cm^?1, ν₁(A₁) = 1018.3 cm^?1, ν₄(B₂) = 880.3 cm^?1. The second vibrational coordinate (A₁) corresponds to a double-well potential. The first vibrational levels were calculated by a variational method.     

Electronic absorption spectrum of Fe3+ doped in ammonium chloride single crystal

The electronic absorption spectrum of the Fe²⁺ ion doped in ammonium chloride has been studied at room and liquid air temperatures. The observed bands have been assigned transitions from the ground ⁶A_1g(S) state to the excited ⁴A_1g(⁴E_g), ⁴T_1g(G) and ⁴T_2g(G) states. The cubic field approximation with D_q = 675 cm^?1, B = 645 cm^?1 and C = 4.4 B is found to give a good fit to the observed band positions.It is further concluded that the site symmetry of the Fe³⁺ ion in the crystal is lowered from O_h to C_4v symmetry at liquid air temperature.     

The rate constant for the “dimol” transition of singlet oxygen,O2(a 1Δg), and the likely symmetry of the emitting species

A comparison has been made of the value of the rate constant for the simultaneous “dimol” emission of O₂(¹Δ_g), calculated from the absorption spectrum, with those from emission measurements. It is suggested that the emitting (O₂)₂ species has D_2h symmetry and that the transition is ¹B_2u-¹A_g. The best value is k = (3.3 ± 0.6) × 10^?2 dm³ mol^?1 s^?1 at 295 K. The temperature dependence is also discussed.     

Extension of High‐Resolution Optical Absorption Spectroscopy to Divalent Neodymium: Absorption Spectra of Nd2+ Ions in a SrCl2 Host

There is a lack of information on electronic spectra of divalent neodymium, and thus the synthesis and characterization of Nd²⁺ systems is now reported. Stabilization of neodymium is observed in a chloride host, which importantly has been accomplished with Nd ions introduced in a divalent state during synthesis, unlike by γ‐irradiation of Nd³⁺ system employed previously. This method yields good‐quality SrCl₂:Nd²⁺ single crystals. For the first time the electronic absorption spectra of Nd²⁺ doped in SrCl₂ have been recorded with high resolution at liquid helium temperature (4.2 K). Identification of the absorption bands occurring in the spectral range of 5000–40 000 cm⁻¹ (2000–250 nm) has been achieved and their tentative assignment proposed. This uniquely detailed Nd²⁺ absorption spectrum provides basis for fingerprinting method enabling identification of the presence of Nd²⁺ ions in future spectra as well as in existing but as‐yet not fully resolved spectra.     

Homogeneity range of neodymium manganite in air

The solubility boundaries for Nd₂O₃ and manganese oxides in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis of homogeneous phases and heterogeneous compositions of the general formula Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} (0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.20; Δx = 0.02) prepared by ceramic technology from constituent oxides in air in the temperature range 900–1400°C. The results are presented in the form of a fragment of the Nd-Mn-O phase diagram in air. It is suggested that the Nd₂O₃ solubility in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} is due to crystal defects and the solubility of manganese oxides is in addition due to the disproportionation reaction 2Mn³⁺ = Mn²⁺ + Mn⁴⁺ and the subsequent partial substitution of divalent for tervalent manganese ions in the cuboctahedral positions of the perovskite-like crystal lattice. To verify this suggestion, it is necessary to systematically study the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ in Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} as a function of x and synthesis temperature and structurally study this oxide with these parameters being varied.     

Can magnetic circular dichroism tackle the problem of site symmetry in solutions?

A new approach to unravel the site symmetry of lanthanides in solutions is presented. The magnetic circular dichroism spectra of Eu³⁺ in the symmetries D_3h, C_4v and D_2d are simulated. In these simulations, the main idea is to introduce the magnetic field along a 3-fold axis, being the resultant of the three equivalent X-, Y- and Z-direction of a cube. This implies that the parallel and perpendicular Zeeman effects are taken into account simultaneously.     

Raman spectra of lanthanide sesquioxide single crystals: Correlation between A and B-type structures

Structures and Raman spectra of lanthanide sesquioxide single crystals with A-type trigonal structure (La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Sm₂O₃) and B-type monoclinic structure (Sm₂O₃, Eu₂O₃, Gd₂O₃) are compared. The B form (C³_2h or $\text{C2}\text{m}\text{, Z = 6}$) derives from the A form (D³_3d or $\text{P}\text{3}\text{m1, Z = 1}$) by a slight lattice deformation, implying a splitting of D_3d and C_3v atomic positions into less symmetrical C_2h and C_s sites. This close structural relationship allows one to relate the Raman active modes of the B-type crystals to vibrations of the A-type crystals and to deduce an interpretation of the complex B-type spectra from those of the simpler A-type spectra. Furthermore, it is shown that the frequency of the modes which mainly involve metal-oxygen stretching motion increases with the lanthanide atomic number in the A and B series. This evolution is interpreted in terms of increasing compactness of the structure.     

Molecular beam chemiluminescence. VIII: Pressure dependence and kinetics of Sm + (N2O,O3, F2, Cl2) and Yb + (O3, F2, Cl2) reaction. Dissociation energies of the diatomic reaction products

The CL spectra of the title reactions and their pressure dependences have been studied over the 5 × 10^?6 ? 5 × 10^?3 torr range in a beam-gas experiment. In the Sm + N₂O, O₃ and Yb + O₃ reactions simple bimolecular formation of the short lived (radiative lifetime τ_R < 3 × 10^?6 s) MO* emitters dominates the entire pressure range. In the other systems Sm + (F₂, Cl₂), Yb + (F₂, Cl₂) the CL spectra are strongly pressure dependent, indicating extensive energy transfer from long-lived intermediates. Reaction mechanisms are suggested. The quantum yields Φ, obtained by calibrating relative quantum yields with Dickson and Zare's absolute value for Sm + N₂O [Chem. Phys. 7 (1975) 367], range from Φ = 2.3% (for Sm + F₂, the most efficient reaction) down to Φ = 0.005% for Yb + Cl₂. The following lower limit estimates were obtained for the product dissociation energies from the short wavelength CL cutoffs: D⁰₀(SmF) ? 121.3 ± 2.4 kcal/mole, D⁰₀(SmCl) ? ? 100 ± 3 kcal/mole, D⁰₀(YbO) ? 94.2 ± 1.5 kcal/moie, D⁰₀(YbF) ? 123.7 ± 2.3 kcal/mole.     

Ring and nitrogen inversion in a flexible highly symmetrical molecule: The conformations of 1,3,7,9,13,15,19,21-octaazapentacyclo[19,3,1,1,3,7,19,13,115,19]

The possible conformations of the title compound and their modes of interconversion via ring and nitrogen inversion processes are delineated. At high temperatures (> +80°) the ¹H NMR spectra are consistent with time averaged D_4th symmetry and rapid ring and nitrogen inversion. At lower temperatures (ca. ?10°) the time-averaged symmetry if D_2d and inversion of the 6-membered rings is frozen out, nitrogen inversion remaining rapid. The free energy of activation for the total inversion of all four 6-membered rings is 13·5 kcal mole ^?1, higher than in similar monocyclic systems. This higher energy is a reflection of the multiple ring inversion pathway required for total inversion of all the 6-membered rings.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Submicron SiO2 Spheres Doped with YAG:Nd3+ Nanocrystallites

The sol-gel technology has been applied to obtain SiO₂ spheres of submicron size. The spheres have been doped with YAG:Nd³⁺ nanocrystallites. The nanocrystallites have been obtained from aqueous solutions of citric acid, yttrium, aluminum and neodymium chlorides. The obtained gels have been heated up to 800°C. Emission spectra as well as the excited state lifetimes have been measured at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. The structural characterization has been performed by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM, SEM) and powder diffraction (XRD) measurements. We have observed that the YAG:Nd³⁺ nanocrystallites demonstrate pronounced dependence of the emission intensities on the excitation power as compared to the YAG:Nd³⁺ crystallites embedded into the submicron SiO₂ spheres. The results suggest that silica spheres/YAG:Nd³⁺ composites are expected to be good hosts for microlaser systems.     

Emission spectra of Cs2NaTbCl6 and Cs2NaYCl6: Tb3+

The emission spectra of microcrystalline Cs₂NaTbCl₆ and Cs₂Na(Y_0.99Tb_0.01)Cl₆ have been measured at room temperature and at 77 K. The crystal structures of these compounds are face-centered cubic and the terbium (III) ions lie at sites of octahedral (O_h) symmetry surrounded by six chloride ions. Emission is observed from both the ⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄ excited states of Tb³⁺. Assignments have been made for nearly all of the magnetic-dipole transitions split out of the Tb³⁺⁷F₆, ⁷F₅, ⁷F₄, ⁷F₃, ⁷F₂, ⁷F₁ ← ⁵D₄ and ⁷F₄, ⁷F₂ ← ⁵D₃ transitions. These assignments are based on the calculated transition energies and relative magnetic-dipole strengths and intensities obtained from a weak-field crystal-field analysis of octahedral TbCl₆^3? units. Magnetic-dipole lines dominate the spectra for transitions of ΔJ = ±1 free-ion parentage, whereas both magnetic-dipole lines and vibronically induced electric-dipole lines contribute significantly to the emission intensities of the ΔJ = 0, ±2 transitions. The crystal-field sub-levels of both ⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄ appear to reach a Boltzmann thermal equilibrium prior to emission. Emission from ⁵D₃ is partially quenched in going from low temperature to high temperature and in going from Cs₂NaYCl₆: Tb³⁺ (1%) to Cs₂NaTbCl₆.This study has led to the identification and assignment of nearly all of the pure magnetic-dipole transitions split out of the Tb³⁺⁷F₆, ⁷F₅, ⁷F₄, ⁷F₃, ⁷F₂, ⁷F₁ ← ⁵D₄ and ⁷F₄, ⁷F₂ ← ⁵D₃ transitions in crystal-line Cs₂NaTbCl₆. The assignments were based on calculated transition energies and relative magnetic-dipole strengths (and intensities) obtained from a (weak-field) crystal-field analysis of octahedral (O_h) TbCl₆^3? clusters. Excellent agreement between the calculated and observed relative intensities of the magnetic-dipole lines was achieved by assuming a Boltzmann equilibrated set of crystal-field sub-levels for both the ⁵D₄ and ⁵D₃ emitting states. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that ⁵D₄ ← ⁵D₃ relaxation is temperature-dependent.The energy levels calculated and displayed in table 1 appear to be qualitatively correct and are in semiquantitative agreement with the emission results (as interpreted in section 4). Calculated and observed transition energies for the assigned magnetic-dipole transitions generally agree to within 0.2%.One of the most remarkable features of the emission spectra obtained on Cs₂NaTbCl₆ is the absence of any vibrational structure in the ΔJ = ± 1 transitions (⁷F₆, ⁷F₃ ← ⁵D₄ and ⁷F₄, ⁷F₂ ← ⁵D₃), and the presence of extensive vibrational structure in the ΔJ = O, ±2 transitions (⁷F₆, ⁷F₄, ⁷F₂ ← ⁵D₄). If other than OO vibronic transitions do contribute to the ΔJ = ±1 emissions, their intensities must be at least two or three orders-of-magnitude weaker than the OO magnetic-dipole lines. Vibronically induced electric-dipole transitions appear, however, to make substantial contributions to the ⁷F₆, ⁷F₄, ⁷F₂ ← ⁵D₄ emission spectra. A clear-cut theoretical explanation for the absence of vibrational structure in the ΔJ = ±1 transitions is not readily apparent. We are presently examining this problem in greater detail.     

Molecular reorientation of liquid benzene. Anisotropic Raman scattering of the CH and CD stretching modes in the deuterated molecules

The anisotropic Raman spectra of the CH and CD stretching modes in seven deuterated benzenes of D_6h, D_3h, D_2h and C_2h symmetry are reported. The reorientational linewidths are interpreted within the model of anisotropic rotational diffusion. The data are consistent with NMR relaxation studies. The study covers the temperature range between T/T_c = 0.49 and T/T_c = 0.97.