LIF diagnostics of C2 radical behaviour in a laser CVD environment

A laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) system was developed to diagnose the reaction and transport of radicals in the ArF-laser-assisted CVD environment. The C₂(a ³ II _u) radicals were produced by the multi-photon dissociation of C₂H₂. The transport of the radical was directly measured by LIF. The disappearance rate of the radical in C₂H₂ was also determined. By using the values determined, the in-flux of the C₂ radicals onto a substrate was investigated, based on a diffusion model.     

The C1 IIg-A1 IIu Emission Spectrum of 12C13C

A few bands of the C¹II_g -A¹II_u system of ¹²C¹³C molecule have been photographed and five of them have been rotationally analyzed. Molecular constants for v = 0, 1 and 2 in the C¹ II_g and in A¹II_u states have been obtained using a nonlinear least-squares procedure in which all analyzed bands were fitted simultaneosly.     

Soot-visualization strategies using laser techniques

Strategies for spatially resolved soot volume-fraction measurements have been investigated in sooting laboratory flames with known soot characteristics. Two techniques were compared: Laser-Induced Fluorescence in C₂ from Laser-Vaporized Soot (LIF(C₂)LVS), and Laser-Induced Incandescence of soot (LII). The LII signal is the increased temperature radiation from soot particles which have been heated to temperatures of several thousand degrees as a consequence of absorption of laser radiation. The LIF(C₂)LVS technique is based on the production of C₂ radicals from laser-vaporized soot which occurs for laser intensities ≥10⁷ W/cm². A laser wavelength is chosen such that besides vaporizizng the soot, it also excites the C₂ radicals, and the subsequent C₂ fluorescence signal is detected. The signals from both techniques showed good correlation with soot volume fractions in the studied flame. The dependence of the signals on experimental parameters was studied, and the influence of interfering radiation, such as background flame luminosity and fluorescence from polyaromatic hydrocarbons, on studied signals was established. The potential of the two techniques for imaging of soot volume fractions in laboratory flames was demonstrated. Advantages and disadvantages of the studied techniques are discussed.     

Dye laser probing of primary C2 radicals formed by IR intense field photolysis of ethylene

The C₂-radicals in the lower electronic statea ³ II _u have been studied by the method of laser-excited luminescence of products of ethylene IR photolysis. The dependence of C₂-radical concentration on IR field power density and its time evolution have been investigated. The threshold characteristics of C₂-radical occurrence and the ratio between excited and unexcited radicals have been determined. Different mechanisms for their formation are being discussed.     

Absolute CH concentrations in low-pressure flames measured with laser-induced fluorescence

Laser-induced fluorescence in both theA–X andB–X band systems was used to measure absolute number densities of CH radicals in 40 Torr propane/air flames at temperatures near 1600 K. The fluorescence signal was calibrated against Rayleigh scattering in N₂ and Raman scattering in H₂. In a rich flame, = 1.15, the concentration at the peak of the CH distribution was 5.8 ± 1.5 ppm, or (1.4 ± 0.4) × 10¹² cm^–3, with independent values obtained using both band systems and calibration methods in good agreement. This result compares well with a prediction of 8 ppm from a kinetic model of this flame.     

Spectroscopic Study of C2 in Carbon Arc Discharge

The influence of self-absorption on intensity distribution in the rotational structure of the emission d ³II_gII → a ³II_u (0–0) band of C₂ radical was studied. The self-absorption effect was used for the determination of C₂ concentration in a DC carbon arc. The proposed method is general and may be used to other molecular bands of a similar rotational structure.     

Two-photon degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) for the detection of ammonia: Applications to flames

Two-photon Degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) has been used for the detection of ammonia in a cell and in an atmospheric pressure flame. The NH₃ molecules were excited from the ground state X to either the C' or the B state and the DFWM signal was recorded simultaneously with the laser-induced fluorescence signal, originating from the C-A and B-A transitions, respectively. During the flame experiments sequential measurements of NH₃ and OH in an NH₃/O₂ flame were also performed.     

The reaction of allyl radicals with oxygen atoms—rate coefficient and product branching

The primary product formation of the C₃H₅ + O reaction in the gas phase has been studied at room temperature. Allyl radicals (C₃H₅) and O atoms were generated by laser flash photolysis at λ = 193 nm of the precursors C₃H₅Cl, C₃H₅Br, C₆H₁₀ (1,5-hexadiene), and SO₂, respectively. The educts and the products were detected by using quantitative FTIR spectroscopy. The combined product analysis of the experiments with the different precursors leads to the following relative branching fractions: C₃H₅ + O → C₃H₄O + H (47%), C₂H₄ + H + CO (41%), H₂CO + C₂H₂ + H (7%), CH₃CCH + OH and CH₂CCH₂ + OH (<5%). The rate of reaction has been studied relative to CH₃OCH₂ + O and C₂H₅ + O in the temperature range from 300 to 623 K. Here, the radicals were produced via the fast reactions of propene, dimethyl ether, and ethane, respectively, with atomic fluorine. Laser-induced multiphoton ionization combined with TOF mass spectrometry and molecular beam sampling from a flow reactor was used for the specific and sensitive detection of the C₃H₅, C₂H₅, and CH₃COCH₂ radicals. The rate coefficient of the reaction C₃H₅ + O was derived with reference to the reaction C₂H₅ + O leading to k(C₃H₅ + O) = (1.11 ± 0.2) × 10¹⁴ cm³/(mol s) in the temperature range 300-623 K. The C₃H₅ + O rate and channel branching, when incorporated in a suitable detailed reaction mechanism, have a large influence on benzene and allyl concentration profiles in fuel-rich propene flames, on the propene flame speed, and on propene ignition delay times.     

Study on the ferromagnetic state in iron mixed-valence complexes, A[FeIIFeIII(dto)3] (A = (n-CnH2n + 1)4N; dto = C2S2O2) by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have investigated the ferromagnetic states for (n-C_nH_2n?+?1)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] (n = 3–6; dto = C₂O₂S₂) by means of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The major component of the spin configuration in the ferromagnetic states for n = 3 and 4 is the low-temperature phase (LTP) with the Fe^III (S = 5/2) and Fe^II (S = 0) states. The high-temperature phase (HTP) of n = 4 remains by more than 20%, which is consistent with two ferromagnetic transitions (T_C = 7 & 13 K). Moreover, it was revealed that the Mössbauer spectra in the ferromagnetic states for n = 5 and 6 correspond to the HTP consisting of the Fe^II (S = 2) and Fe^III (S = 1/2) states.     

Application of benzophenones to elucidate the photochemical reaction pathways of hydrogen peroxide with dimethylsulfoxide

Benzophenone ((C₆H₅)₂CO) and decafluorobenzophenone ((C₆F₅)₂CO) were applied to elucidate the photochemical reaction pathway of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). When a solution of benzophenone in DMSO was excited with the 355 nm laser light, three transient species were observed in the time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectra: benzophenone ketyl (C₆H₅)₂COH^⋅, methyl^⋅CH₃, and methylsulfinic methyl^⋅CH₂SOCH₃ radicals. However, when decafluoro-benzophenone was used with DMSO, only ketyl and methylsulfinic methyl radicals were observed under the same experimental conditions. When the reaction of benzophenone and DMSO was carried out in the presence of H₂O₂, different time profiles of^⋅CH₃ radicals were observed. In the reaction of decafluorobenzophenone-DMSO-H₂O₂, the time profiles of the radicals were not affected by the presence of H₂O₂. Thus, these results verify that^⋅CH₃ radicals are regenerated in a cyclic pathway, in which^⋅CH₃ radicals attack H₂O₂. The regeneration pathway allows us to observe f-pair polarization throughout the lifetime of^⋅CH₃ radicals, which last several microseconds, an order of magnitude longer than theT ₁ relaxation time of^⋅CH₃ radicals.     

Quantitative C2H2 measurements in sooty flames using mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy

Quantitative measurements of acetylene (C₂H₂) molecules as a combustion intermediate species in a series of rich premixed C₂H₄/air flames were non-intrusively performed, spatially resolved, using mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy (IRPS), by probing its fundamental ro-vibrational transitions. The flat sooty C₂H₄/air premixed flames with different equivalence ratios varying from 1.25 to 2.50 were produced on a 6 cm diameter porous-plug McKenna type burner at atmospheric pressure, and all measurements were performed at a height of 8.5 mm above the burner surface. IRPS excitation scans in different flame conditions were performed and rotational line-resolved spectra were recorded. Spectral features of acetylene molecules were readily recognized in the spectral ranges selected, with special attention to avoid the spectral interference from the large amount of coexisting hot water and other hydrocarbon molecules. On-line calibration of the optical system was performed in a laminar C₂H₂/N₂ gas flow at ambient conditions. Using the flame temperatures measured by coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy in a previous work, C₂H₂ mole fractions in different flames were evaluated with collision effects and spectral overlap between molecular line and laser source being analyzed and taken into account. C₂H₂ IRPS signals in two different buffering gases, N₂ and CO₂, had been investigated in a tube furnace in order to estimate the spectral overlap coefficients and collision effects at different temperatures. The soot-volume fractions (SVF) in the studied flames were measured using a He–Ne laser-extinction method, and no obvious degrading of the IRPS technique due to the sooty environment has been observed in the flame with SVF up to ～2×10^?7. With the increase of flame equivalence ratios not only the SVF but also the C₂H₂ mole fractions increased.     

Laser frequency stabilization using an Fe-Ar hollow cathode discharge cell

Polarization spectroscopy of an Fe-Ar hollow cathode discharge cell was used to lock a frequency-doubled Ti:sapphire laser to the 372-nm⁵D₄⁵F₅ transition of ⁵⁶Fe. The discharge cell produced a density of 10¹⁸ m^-3 ground-state ⁵⁶Fe atoms at a temperature of 650 K, this density being comparable to a conventional oven at 1500 K. Saturated absorption spectroscopy and two schemes of polarization spectroscopy were compared with respect to signal-to-background ratio and the effect of velocity-changing collisions. The laser was locked within 0.2 MHz for hours by feedback of the dispersive polarization spectroscopy signal. PACS 33.55.Ad; 42.62.Fi; 52.25.Ya     

Transformations of radicals and ions in irradiated sodium sulfate doped with nitrate ions

The structure and properties of the paramagnetic centers formed by γ-irradiation at 77 K in sodium sulfate doped with nitrate ions have been investigated by the EPR method. The NO^2? ₃, NO₂ and SO^? ₄ radicals have been identified. The orientation of NO^2? ₃ relation to crystallographic axes is determined. In the 77-400 K temperature range the transformations of observable radicals have been studied. The mechanisms of their formation and thermal annealing have been discussed. The symmetry of nitrate ions in sodium sulfate was investigated by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. At the concentration of NO^? ₃ up to 5.5 × 10¹⁸ g^?1 the nitrate ion was supposed to have a planar or pyramidal configuration of the D_3h or C_3V symmetries. At the concentration of the dopant higher than 5.5 × 10¹⁸ g^?1 the nitrate ions with the C_2V symmetry were observed.     

ConC3-/0和ConC4-/0(n=1~4)团簇的结构和电子特性:尺寸选择的负离子光电子能谱和密度泛函理论研究

We investigated the structural evolution and electronic properties of Co_nC₃^-/0 and Co_nC₄^-/0 (n=1-4) clusters by using mass-selected photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of Co_1-4C₃^- and Co_1-4C₄^- were obtained from their photoelectron spectra. By comparing the theoretical results with the experimental data, the global minimum structures were determined. The results indicate that the carbon atoms of Co_nC₃^-/0 and Co_nC₄^-/0 (n=1-4) are separated from each other gradually with increasing number of cobalt atoms but a C₂ unit still remains at n=4. It is interesting that the Co₂C₃^- and Co₂C₄^- anions have planar structures whereas the neutral Co₂C₃ and Co₂C₄ have linear structures with the Co atoms at two ends. The Co₃C₃^- anion has a planar structure with a Co₂C₂ four-membered ring and a Co₃C four-membered ring sharing a Co-Co bond, while the neutral Co₃C₃ is a three-dimensional structure with a C₂ unit and a C atom connecting to two faces of the Co₃ triangle.     

Polarized electron capture by3He2+ at 20–28 keV

Nuclear polarization was measured by means of beam foil spectroscopy for a³He⁺ ion produced by an electron capture process of a³He²⁺ from a polarized sodium atom in an incident energy range from 20 to 28 keV. Assuming that a polarized electron of a sodium atom is predominantly captured to the 3d orbital of a³He⁺ ion andcascades down to the 1s ground state via the 2p orbital, an alignment factorA ₀ ^col (L=2) for the 3d orbital of a³He⁺ ion was extracted by comparing the observed initial sodium polarization andfinal nuclear polarization. The observedA ₀ ^col (L=2) showed a less pronounced energy dependence andwere qualitatively reproduced by the theoretical calculation.     

Mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy of C2H2: Non-intrusive spatial-resolved measurements of polyatomic hydrocarbon molecules for combustion diagnostics

Polarization spectroscopy in the mid-infrared (IRPS) has been applied to the detection of acetylene molecules making use of the asymmetric C-H stretching vibration at around 3 μm. The infrared laser pulses were produced through difference frequency generation in a LiNbO₃ crystal pumped by a Nd:YAG and dye laser system. By directly probing the ro-vibrational transitions with IRPS, sensitive detection of molecules with otherwise inaccessible electronic states was realized with high temporal and spatial resolution by using a pulsed laser and a cross-beam geometry. Detection sensitivities of 2 × 10¹³ molecules/cm³ (10 ppm in 70 mbar gas mixture) of C₂H₂ were achieved using the P(1 1) line of the (0 1 0(1 1)⁰)-(0 0 0 0⁰ 0⁰) band. The dependence of the IRPS signal on the pump laser fluence, acetylene mole fraction, and buffer gas pressure of Ar, N₂, H₂, and CO₂ has been studied experimentally. The investigation demonstrates the quantitative nature of IRPS for sensitive detection of polyatomic IR active molecules. In order to fully demonstrate the technique for combustion applications, nascent acetylene molecules were measured in a low pressure methane/oxygen flame.     

Absolute line wavenumbers in the near infrared: 12C2H2 and 12C16O2

40 absolute line wavenumbers in the 3v ₃ band of ¹²C¹⁶O₂ between 6927 cm^?1 and 6989 cm^?1 and 626 absolute line wavenumbers in the near infrared absorption spectrum of ¹²C₂H₂ between 7060 cm^?1 and 9900 cm^?1 have been measured using high resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy. The calibration of the CO₂ line wavenumbers relied on heterodyne frequencies available in the v ₁ + v ₃ band of ¹²C₂H₂ near 6556 cm^?1. The absolute uncertainty of the calibrated CO₂ line wavenumbers is estimated to 0.000 08 cm^?1. The acetylene spectra were calibrated using heterodyne frequencies available in the 2—0 band of ¹²C¹⁶O and the line wavenumbers obtained in the 3v ₃ band of ¹²C¹⁶O₂. The absolute uncertainty of the calibrated acetylene line wavenumbers is estimated to range from 0.0003 cm^?1 to 0.006 cm^?1 for strong to very weak isolated lines. Comparison with absolute line wavenumbers obtained independently at JPL in the 3v ₃ band of ¹²C₂H₂ near 9649 cm^?1, calibrated using absolute wavenumbers available in the 2—0 and 3—0 (near 6350 cm^?1) bands of ¹²C¹⁶O, shows very good agreement. Also, the vibration—rotation constants for the observed upper vibrational states of ¹²C₂H₂ were determined, but without accounting for the perturbations affecting these states.     

Characterization of BCN films synthesized by radiofrequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Boron carbonitride (BCN) films have been synthesized on Si(1 0 0) substrate by radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using tris-(dimethylamino)borane (TDMAB) as a precursor. The deposition was performed at the different RF powers of 400-800 W, at the working pressure of 2×10⁻¹ Torr. The formation of the sp²-bonded BCN phase was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that B atoms were bonded to C and N atoms to form the BCN atomic hybrid configurations with the chemical compositions of B₅₂C₁₂N₃₆ (sample 1; prepared at the RF power of 400 W), B₅₂C₁₀N₃₈ (sample 2; at 500 W) and B₄₆C₁₈N₃₆ (sample 3; at 800 W), respectively. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements indicated that B atoms were bonded not only to N atoms but also to C atoms to form various configurations of sp²-BCN atomic hybrids. The polarization dependence of NEXAFS suggested that the predominant hybrid configuration of sp²-BCN films oriented in the direction perpendicular to the Si substrate.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of the reaction of vinyl radical with alkenes II: Measured rates and predicted product distributions for vinyl + propene

This work reports measurements of the absolute rate coefficients and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Markus (RRKM) master equation (ME) simulations of the C₂H₃ + C₃H₆ reaction. Direct kinetic studies were performed over a temperature range of 300-700 K and pressures of 15, 25, and 100 Torr. Vinyl radicals were generated by laser photolysis of vinyl iodide at 266 nm, and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy was used to probe vinyl radicals through absorption at 423.2 nm. A weighted modified Arrhenius fit to the experimental rate constant is k₁ = (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹(T/1000)^1.6 exp[−(1510 ± 80/T)]. Fifteen stationary points and 48 transition states on the C₅H₉ potential energy surface (PES) were calculated using the G3 method in Gaussian 03. RRKM/ME simulations were performed using VariFlex on a simplified PES to predict pressure dependent rate coefficients and branching fractions for the major channels. For temperatures between 350 and 700 K, the calculated rate coefficient agrees with the experimental rate coefficient within 20%. At low temperatures, the primary products are the initial adducts 4-penten-2-yl and 2-methyl-3-buten-1-yl. At higher temperatures, the dominant products are 1,3-butadiene + methyl, allyl + ethene, and 1,3-pentadiene + H. Although C₂H₃ + C₃H₆ → allyl + ethene is thermodynamically favored, the simulations predict that it does not become the dominant product until 1700 K.     

Laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter

We report on a Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy based technique of laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter set-up. Two linearly polarized weak laser beams are used to probe birefringence induced by two oppositely circularly polarized strong pump beams in a vapour cell. Subtraction of balanced polarimeter signals obtained from the two probe beams results in a background-free dispersion-like reference signal without frequency modulation. The dispersion-like signal corresponding to the closed transition 5 ² S _1/2 (F=2) →5 ² P _3/2 (F^′=3) of ⁸⁷Rb was used for frequency locking of a diode laser. The frequency fluctuations and the drift were measured to be less than 0.25 MHz and 0.02 MHz, respectively, for an observation period of more than 10 hours. PACS 42.62.Fi; 42.55.Px; 32.30.-r