Ionization potentials and electron momentum distributions for SiF4 valence-shell orbitals: an (e,2e) spectroscopic investigation and Green's function study

Ionization potentials and electron momentum distributions of SiF₄ valence-shell orbitals have been measured by means of (e,2e) spectroscopy. SCF calculations and a Green's function study have been performed on the same molecule. A comparison between experimental and theoretical results shows that a significant interaction of 2p F with 3d Si orbitals occurs.     

An investigation of valence shell orbital momentum profiles of difluoromethane by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy

The electron binding energy spectra and momentum profiles of the valence orbitals of difluoromethane, also known as HFC32 (HFC-hydrofluorocarbon) (CH(2)F(2)), have been studied by using a high resolution (e,2e) electron momentum spectrometer, at an impact energy of 1200 eV plus the binding energy, and by using symmetric noncoplanar kinematics. The experimental momentum profiles of the outer valence orbitals and 4a(1) inner valence orbital are compared with the theoretical momentum distributions calculated using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (DFT) methods with various basis sets. In general, the shapes of the experimental momentum distributions are well described by both the Hartree-Fock and DFT calculations when large and diffuse basis sets are used. However, the result also shows that it is hard to choose the different calculations for some orbitals, including the methods and the size of the basis sets employed. The pole strength of the ionization peak from the 4a(1) inner valence orbital is estimated.     

Recoil-ion momentum distribution for He(e,2e)He+-and He(e,3e)He++-reactions

Using Recoil-Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (RIMS) we have measured the momenta of recoiling target ions in He(e,2e)He⁺- and He(e,3e)He⁺⁺-reactions at impact energies between 270 ev and 3200 eV. The recoil-ion momentum reflecting the sum momentum of all outgoing electrons was determined for the first time in all three spatial dimensions separately for single and double ionization by electron impact. The data are compared to results of a nCTMC-calculation.     

The photodissociation dynamics of ozone at 193 nm: an O(1D2) angular momentum polarization study

Polarized laser photolysis, coupled with resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization detection of O(1D2) and velocity-map ion imaging, has been used to investigate the photodissociation dynamics of ozone at 193 nm. The use of multiple pump and probe laser polarization geometries and probe transitions has enabled a comprehensive characterization of the angular momentum polarization of the O(1D2) photofragments, in addition to providing high-resolution information about their speed and angular distributions. Images obtained at the probe laser wavelength of around 205 nm indicate dissociation primarily via the Hartley band, involving absorption to, and diabatic dissociation on, the B 1B2(3 1A1) potential energy surface. Rather different O(1D2) speed and electronic angular momentum spatial distributions are observed at 193 nm, suggesting that the dominant excitation at these photon energies is to a state of different symmetry from that giving rise to the Hartley band and also indicating the participation of at least one other state in the dissociation process. Evidence for a contribution from absorption into the tail of the Hartley band at 193 nm is also presented. A particularly surprising result is the observation of nonzero, albeit small values for all three rank K = 1 orientation moments of the angular momentum distribution. The polarization results obtained at 193 and 205 nm, together with those observed previously at longer wavelengths, are interpreted using an analysis of the long range quadrupole-quadrupole interaction between the O(1D2) and O2(1Deltag) species.     

An (e,2e) study of ammonia: Binding energies and momentum distributions of valence electrons

The valence shell electronic structure of NH₃ is studied in an (e,2e) experiment with symmetric non-coplanar geometry. The momentum distributions obtained for the separate orbitals are compared with those calculated from several approximate wavefunctions. The 3a₁ distribution is found to be particularly sensitive to the form of the wavefunction.     

Outer valence orbital momentum distributions of carbon dioxide by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy

The outer valence orbital momentum distributions of CO₂ have been reinvestigated using a high momentum resolution (0.1 a_o^?1 fwhm) binary (e,2e) spectrometer operated at 1200 eV impact energy under the non-coplanar symmetric scattering condition. Generally good agreement of the measured momentum distributions with theoretical momentum distributions calculated using literature SCF double-zeta quality wavefunctions has been obtained for the 1π_g, (1π_u + 3σ_u) and 4σ_g orbitals. Although there is a reasonable agreement of the measured momentum distributions with earlier low momentum resolution (0.4 a_o^?1 fwhm) non-coplanar measurements at 400 eV impact energy reported by Cook and Brion, given the large differences in the momentum resolutions much more definitive results are obtained in the present study. In particular, the significantly higher momentum resolution clearly shows the mixed s-p character of the 4σ_g orbital. The present study also gives a much better agreement with theory in the case of the 4σ_g momentum distribution. For each orbital the calculated and where possible the experimentally determined spherically averaged momentum distributions are compared and contrasted with their respective two-dimensional momentum and position density maps. These together with three-dimensional surface plots at selected constant density values of the four outermost orbitals are used to provide a detailed comparison of momentum-space bonding and orbital properties with their more familiar position-space counterparts in the CO₂ triatomic molecule. The calculated momentum-space density contour maps of the core orbitals exhibit rather large density oscillations and the feasibility of future experiments is discussed.     

Satellite structures and momentum distributions in binary (e, 2e) spectroscopy of N2O

The (e, 2e) coincidence technique has been applied in studying the valence shell of N₂O. The assignment of some satellite structures is discussed.     

The photodissociation dynamics of O2 at 193 nm: an O3PJ angular momentum polarization study

In the following paper we present translational anisotropy and angular momentum polarization data for O((3)P(1)) and O((3)P(2)) products of the photodissociation of molecular oxygen at 193 nm. The data were obtained using polarized laser photodissociation coupled with resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and velocity-map ion imaging. Under the jet-cooled conditions employed, absorption is believed to be dominated by excitation into the Herzberg continuum. The experimental data are compared with previous experiments and theoretical calculations at this and other wavelengths. Semi-classical calculations performed by Groenenboom and van Vroonhoven [J. Chem. Phys, 2002, 116, 1965] are used to estimate the alignment parameters arising from incoherent excitation and dissociation and these are shown to agree qualitatively well with the available experimental data. Following the work of Alexander et al. [J. Chem. Phys, 2003, 118, 10566], orientation and alignment parameters arising from coherent excitation and dissociation are modelled more approximately by estimating phase differences generated subsequent to dissociation via competing adiabatic pathways leading to the same asymptotic products. These calculations lend support to the view that large values of the coherent alignment moments, but small values of the corresponding orientation moments, could arise from coherent excitation of (and subsequent dissociation via) parallel and perpendicular components of the Herzberg I, II and III transitions.     

Photodissociation dynamics of OCS at 248 nm: the S((1)D(2)) atomic angular momentum polarization

The dissociation of OCS has been investigated subsequent to excitation at 248 nm. Speed distributions, speed dependent translational anisotropy parameters, angular momentum alignment, and orientation are reported for the channel leading to S((1)D(2)). In agreement with previous experiments, two product speed regimes have been identified, correlating with differing degrees of rotational excitation in the CO coproducts. The velocity dependence of the translational anisotropy is also shown to be in agreement with previous work. However, contrary to previous interpretations, the speed dependence is shown to primarily reflect the effects of nonaxial recoil and to be consistent with predominant excitation to the 2 (1)A(') electronic state. It is proposed that the associated electronic transition moment is polarized in the molecular plane, at an angle greater than approximately 60 degrees to the initial linear OCS axis. The atomic angular momentum polarization data are interpreted in terms of a simple long-range interaction model to help identify likely surfaces populated during dissociation. Although the model neglects coherence between surfaces, the polarization data are shown to be consistent with the proposed dissociation mechanisms for the two product speed regimes. Large values for the low and high rank in-plane orientation parameters are reported. These are believed to be the first example of a polyatomic system where these effects are found to be of the same order of magnitude as the angular momentum alignment.     

(e,2e) Spectroscopy of methane

Measurements are reported on the spectroscopy of methane using the symmetric (e,2e) technique at energies of 600 eV and 1200 eV. The angular correlations of the states with separation energies of 14.2 and 23.1 eV have been measured and compared with the orbital wavefunctions of Snyder and Basch and with some earlier data at 400eV. The angular correlation of the configuration interaction state at 31 eV shows that this state definetely results from the removal of an electron in the 2a₁ orbital. Other structure at high separation energy is also identified with this orbital. Relative strengths of the It₂ and 2a₁ states are compared and found to be in agreement with the theory at 1200eV.     

Examination of (e,2e) scattering models by comparison of momentum profiles of noble gases between experiment and theory

Momentum profiles have been measured for the two outermost atomic orbitals of noble gases, Ar, Kr and Xe, at incident electron energy of about 2 keV using a newly developed multichannel (e,2e) spectrometer. The experimental results exhibit significantly improved statistics compared with those achieved in previous studies while covering a wide range of momenta up to 3.6 a.u. The results are compared with theoretical calculations using four (e,2e) scattering models, the plane-wave impulse and Born approximations (PWIA and PWBA), and the distorted-wave impulse and Born approximations (DWIA and DWBA). The DWIA and DWBA scattering models have been found to satisfactorily reproduce the experimental momentum profiles in terms of both shape and intensity over the entire momentum range covered, indicating the importance of distorted wave effects for quantitatively describing (e,2e) reaction.     

Laser-assisted (e, 2e) collisions in helium

The influence of a strong laser field on the dynamics of fast (e, 2e) collisions in helium is analyzed in the asymmetric, coplanar geometry. The interaction of the laser field with the incident, scattered and ejected electrons is treated in a non-perturbative way, while the remaining interactions are treated by using first order perturbation theory. Detailed calculations are performed for an incident electron energyE _{k i}=600 eV, an ejected electron energyE _{k B}=5 eV and a scattering angle θ _A =4°. The influence of the laser parameters (photon energy, intensity and direction of polarization) on the angular distribution of the ejected electron is analyzed. We find that in general the triple differential cross sections are strongly dependent on the dressing of the projectile and the target by the laser field.     

Ionization of CH4 and some fluoromethanes: a green's function study and an (e,2e) spectroscopic investigation

A Green's function study and an (e,2e) spectral investigation have been performed on CH₄ and some of its fluoro derivatives. The satellite structures and the breakdown of the orbital picture for inner valence shells are discussed.     

The assignment of the ionization potentials of formaldehyde by an (e, 2e) experiment

The angular variation of the binding energy spectrum in an electron-electron coincidence experiment indicates that the third and fourth ionization potentials of formaldehyde are due to the 5a₁ and 1b₂ orbitals respectively. The vertical ionization potentials of the 4a₁ and 5a₁ orbitals are found to be 21.15 ± 0.15 and 34.2 ± 0.2 eV respectively.     

Dynamical (e,2e) studies of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol

Cross section data for electron scattering from DNA are important for modelling radiation damage in biological systems. Triply differential cross sections for the electron impact ionization of the highest occupied outer valence orbital of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, which can be considered as an analogue to the deoxyribose backbone molecule in DNA, have been measured using the (e,2e) technique. The measurements have been performed with coplanar asymmetric kinematics at an incident electron energy of 250 eV, an ejected electron energy of 20 eV, and at scattered electron angles of -5°, -10°, and -15°. Experimental results are compared with corresponding theoretical calculations performed using the molecular 3-body distorted wave model. Some important differences are observed between the experiment and calculations.     

Charge transfer in S2++H collisions at intermediate energy

Partial cross-sections for the charge transfer process of S²⁺ ions in collision with atomic hydrogen at impact energies up to 8 keV have been calculated by means of a semi-classical method using ab initio potential energy curves and couplings. The results are in relatively good agreement with experiment and improve significantly previous Landau-Zener calculations.     

Ionization of fluoromethanes: CHF3 and CF4. A Green function study and an (e, 2e) spectroscopic investigation

A Green's function study has been performed on CHF₃ and CF₄. Theoretical results are compared with (e 2e) spectral data. Previous assignment of valence-shell orbitals is confirmed and a splitting of the innermost ionizations over many shake-up terms in experimental and theoretical results on both molecules.     

Photodissociative production of O(1S) and N(2D) from N2O in an argon matrix at 4 K

Vacuum ultraviolet photolysis of N₂O isolated in Ar matrices at 4 K gives direct luminescent evidence for the photodissociative production of both O(¹S) and N(²D). The matrix results are compared to relative atomic quantum yields measured in the gas phase.