Cadmium (5 1 P 1 → 5 3 P J) excitation transfer and 5 3 P J intramultiplet relaxation by collisions with molecular gases

Collisional 5 ¹ P ₁ → 5 ³ P _J spin changing fine structure transfer as well as 5 ³ P _J intramultiplet mixing induced by various molecular gases (H₂, D₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₂H₄) have been investigated using a combined method of fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. After pulsed optical excitation of the Cd(5 ¹ P ₁) level the time dependence of the population densities has been measured both for the Cd(5 ¹ P ₁) level as well as the three collisionally populated Cd(5 ³ P _J) levels. By analyzing the signal curves at different molecular gas pressures not only the ratios of 5 ¹ P ₁ → 5 ³ P _J population transfer cross sections but also the Cd(5 ¹ P _J), Cd(5 ³ P _J) quenching cross sections and the Cd(5 ³ P _J) intramultiplet population transfer cross sections have been obtained.     

Population transfer between the fine-structure levels 5s5p 3 P 1 and 5s5p 3 P 0 of114Cd atoms by collisions with molecular gases

Fine-structure mixing of excited¹¹⁴Cd 5³ P _J atoms induced by collisions with various molecular gases (N₂, H₂, D₂, CO, CH₄, C₂H₆) has been investigated by a combined method of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. After pulsed optical excitation of the Cd(5³ P ₁) level, the time dependence of the population densities has been measured simultaneously both for the 5³ P ₁ state and for the collisionally populated 5³ P ₀ state. By analyzing the signal curves at different molecular gas pressures cross sections for collisional transfer between the¹¹⁴Cd 5³ P ₁ and 5³ P ₀ levels as well as the quenching cross sections for the 5³ P levels have been obtained.     

Collisional depolarization of excited114Cd 5s5p 3 P 1 atoms by collisions with molecular gases

Depolarization of excited¹¹⁴Cd 5s5p ³ P ₁ atoms induced by collisions with various molecular gases (N₂, H₂, D₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₄) has been investigated using polarized fluorescence spectroscopy. After pulsed optical excitation of the Cd 5³ P ₁ level with appropriately polarized light the temporal behaviour of Zeeman quantum beats has been observed showing the influence of collisional destruction of orientation and alignment. By analyzing the signal curves at different molecular gas pressures the corresponding depolarization cross sections for¹¹⁴Cd atoms in the 5³ P ₁ state have been obtained. With regard to a test of a nuclear spin decoupling model for the collisions the cross sections were compared with previously measured hyperfine structure transfer cross sections of¹¹³Cd 5s5p ³ P ₁ atoms.     

Collision cross sections for excitation energy transfer in Na* (3P 1/2)+K(4S 1/2)⇔Na*(3P 3/2)+K(4S 1/2) processes

The cross sections for the excitation energy transfer between the 3² P _J states of sodium atoms by collisions with ground-state potassium atoms have been measured by resonant Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy, where the population densities of directly pumped and collisionally excited Na(3P _J )(J=1/2, 3/2) levels were probed by counter-propagating Na(3P _J ) → Na(4D _{3/2, 5/2}) excitation and detected with the thermionic diode. Cross sections of σ(3P _1/2 → 3P _3/2)=190 Ų±20% and σ(3P _3/2 → 3P _1/2)=100 Ų±20% were found. The theoretical calculations taking into account the long-range interaction termsR ^?6,R ^?8 andR ^?10 yield a value σ(3P _1/2 → 3P _3/2)=165 Ų. On the basis of these long-range interaction potentials the differential cross section has been calculated and compared with recently published experimental data. Very good agreement between the theoretical and experimental data was found.     

The state dependence of the interaction of metastable rare gas atoms Rg*(ms3 P 2,3 P 0) (Rg=Ne,Ar, Kr,Xe) with ground state sodium atoms

Using crossed beams of metastable rare gas atoms Rg*(ms³ P ₂,³ P ₀) (Rg=Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) and ground state sodium atoms Na(3s ² S _1/2), we have measured the energy spectra of electrons released in the respective Penning ionization processes at thermal collision energies. For Rg*(³ P ₂)+Na(3s), the spectra are quite similar for the different rare gases, both in width and shape; they reflect attractive interactions in the entrance channel with well depthsD* _e [meV] decreasing slowly from Rg=Ne to Xe as follows: 676(18); 602(23); 565(26); 555(30). For Rg*(³ P ₀)+Na(3s), the spectra vary strongly with the rare gas, indicating a change in the character of the interaction from van der Waals type attraction (Ne) to chemical binding for Kr and Xe with well depthsD* _e [meV] of: 51(19); 107(25); 432(30); 530(50). These findings are explained through model calculations of the respective potential curves, in which the exchange and the spin orbit interaction in the excited rare gas and the molecular interaction between the two valences-electrons in terms of suitably chosen singlet and triplet potentials are taken into account. These calculations also explain qualitatively the experimental finding that the ratiosq ₂/q ₀ of the ionization cross sections for Rg*(³ P ₂)+Na and Rg*(³ P ₀)+Na vary strongly with the rare gas from Ne to Xe as follows: 15.8(3.2); 2.6(4); 1.4(2); 1.6(4).     

Population and deactivation of lowest lying barium levels by collisions with He,Ar, Xe and Ba ground state atoms

Excitation transfer between the barium low lying excited states 6s6p ³ P ₁ ⁰ , 6s5d ¹ D ₂ and 6s5d ³ D _J by collisions with He,Ar,Xe and Ba has been investigated. The population densities in all levels involved were probed by absorption or by fluorescence usingcw lasers. The depopulation cross sections of the Ba³ P ₁ ⁰ state by collisions with noble gases were found to be σ_He(³ P ₁ ⁰ )=5.5·10^?16 cm², σ_Ar(³ P ₁ ⁰ )=4.6·10^?16 cm², and σ_Xe(³ P ₁ ⁰ )=1.7·10^?16 cm². For Ar, the collisional depopulation of the³ P ₁ ⁰ level is exclusively due to the transition to the¹ D ₂ state. Under the assumption that the³ D _J metastable states are populated collisionally by¹ D ₂ →³ D _J transfer only, we have deduced the upper limit for the corresponding cross section σ ₁₃ ^Ar =1.5·10^?18 cm². From the Ba¹ D ₂ and Ba³ D _J steady-state diffusion distributions, collisional relaxation rates of the¹ D ₂ and³ D _J levels were evaluated. The collisional relaxation rates by Ar and Ba yielded total cross sections for the depopulation of metastable levels: σ_Ar(¹ D ₂)=1.5·10^?17 cm², σ_Ba(¹ D ₂)?1·10^?13 cm², σ_Ar(³ D _J)=7·10^?21 cm², and σ_Ba(³ D _J)=1·10^?15 cm². Furthermore, it was found that the main contribution of the collisional depopulation of the¹ D ₂ state by Ar is related to back transfer to the³ P _J ⁰ state, whereas the deactivation of the³ D _J metastable state is due to back transfer to the¹ D ₂ state. Taking into account other cross sections reported in literature we can conclude that collisional deactivation of both metastable levels by Ba ground state atoms can be attributed to their mutual collisional mixing.     

Thermal energy collisions between metastable Ne⋆(2p 53s,3 P 0, 2) and H2(X,1Σ g + )

A crossed beam experiment is used to investigate the Ne*(2p ⁵ 3s,³ P _{0, 2}) ? H₂(¹Σ _g ⁺ ) collision at thermal energy (67 meV). The H₂ beam is supersonic, the Ne* beam is thermal. Different collision processes have been analyzed separately by means of a double chopping technique combined with a time of flight measurement. Ions produced by Penning effect and chemi-ionization have been separated from scattered metastable atoms by an accelerating electric field small enough to preserve a reasonable angular resolution: δ?(ions)=±5.5°, δ?(Ne*)=±1°, which allows a determination of differential cross sections. The attenuation method, combined with an absolute measurement of the total H₂ flux, has been used to measure the total cross section: σ _t =940±220a ₀ ² . Differential cross sections have been obtained, in arbitrary but unique unit, for the following processes: (1) elastic collisions, for a mixture (1:3) of para- and ortho-hydrogen; (2) rotationally inelastic collisions:J=0→2; (3) Penning ionization resulting into H ₂ ⁺ ions; (4) chemiionization yielding NeH⁺ ions.     

Ionisation of small molecules by state-selected Ne* (3P0, 3P2) metastable atoms in the 0.06 < E < 6 eV energy range

The velocity dependence and absolute values of the total ionisation cross section for the molecules H₂, N₂, O₂, NO, CO, N₂O, CO₂, and CH₄ by metastable Ne* (³P₀) and Ne* (³P₂) atoms at collision energies ranging from 0.06 to 6.0 eV have been measured in a crossed beam experiment. State selection of the two metastable states of Ne* was obtained by optical pumping with a cw dye laser. We observe a strongly different velocity dependence at collision energies below about 1 eV for the ionisation cross section of the systems Ne*H₂, N₂, CO, and CH₄, and the systems Ne*O₂, NO, CO₂, and N₂O, respectively. The first group shows an increasing cross section in this energy range, similar to the Ne*Ar system, while the second group shows a very flat behaviour. This behaviour correlates with the difference in character (π or σ^b) of the orbital of the electron that is removed from the target molecule. For the molecules H₂, N₂, CO, and CH₄ an electron from a σ^b orbital is removed from the molecule, whereas for O₂, NO, N₂O, and CO₂ an outer π-ortibal electron is involved. For the systems Ne* (³P₀, ³P₂)H₂ we have derived the imaginary part of the optical potential by assuming a real potential similar to the theoretically calculated ground state NaH₂ potential of Botschwina et al. The resonance width Γ(r) as a function of the internuclear distance r shows a saturation at small r (r < 2.8 Å) for both the Ne*(³P₀)H₂ and the Ne*(³P₂)H₂ interaction. This supports previous conclusions of Verheijen et al. and Kroon et al. Reliable values for the absolute value of the total ionisation cross section have been obtained by performing a careful calibration of the density—length product of the supersonic secondary beam. The results are in good agreement with the values of West et al. for experiments without state selection. The total ionisation cross sections for molecules with π-type ionisation orbitals, with their larger spatial extent, in general are larger than those for molecules with σ^b-type ionisation orbitals.     

Double photoionization of argon into the 3s3p 5 1 P- and3 P-states

Double photoionization of argon was studied by photon induced fluorescence spectroscopy (PIFS). Cross sections for the double photoionization into the 3s3p ^{5 1} P,³ P states of Ar⁺⁺ are presented for exciting photon energies between threshold and 120 eV. In the threshold range the energy dependencies of these cross sections were determined for the first time. Singlet and triplet states are populated with comparable probabilities at equal excess energies, in contrast to predictions of the extended Wannier theory. Athv=100 eV the spin-or-bit splitting of the 3s3p ^{5 3} P state was resolved, and a cross section for the production of Ar⁺⁺ 3s ⁰3p ^{6 1} S ₀ was determined for the first time.     

Quantum-mechanical phase interference and optical polarization in low-energy Na+Hg inelastic collisions

Cross sections for production of Hg(6³P₁) and Na(3²P) have been measured for low energy (?3 keV) Na⁺Hg collisions. An antiphase oscillatory structure in the energy dependence has been observed, and attributed to phase interference between charge-exchange and direct excitation channels. From the measurement of polarization of the Hg-resonance line, another pronounced antiphase oscillatory behaviour is found for the two cross sections for production of the magnetic sublevels, m_J=0 and m_J = ± 1, of the Hg(6³P₁) state.     

Energy and polarization dependence of chemi-ionization processes inK(42 P 3/2)−K(42 P 3/2) collisions

Using crossed molecular beams we have investigated ionizing collisions between potassium atoms in their 4² P _3/2-states, leading to the exit channelsK ₂ ⁺ +e ^?,K ⁺+K ^?, andK(4² S _1/2)+K ⁺+e ^?, respectively. Measurements of the total ionization cross section as well as of the cross sections for the individual channels are reported as a function of both the relative collision energy (0.2 to 2.4 eV) and the angle between the electric field vector of the exciting laser light and the relative velocity vector. The results are interpreted in terms of the molecular states of theK ₂ ^* quasi molecule which are involved in the ionization process.     

The collision cross sections for the fine-structure mixing of caesium 6P levels induced by collisions with potassium atoms

The cross section for the fine-structure excitation transfer Cs(6P _1/2) → Cs(6P _3/2), induced by collisions with the ground state potassium atoms, has been measured by resonant Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy. The population densities of caesium 6P _J (J=1/2, 3/2) levels were probed by thermionic detection of the collisionally ionized caesium atoms from the Cs(6P _J ) → Cs(10S _1/2) excitation channel. The cross section for the transfer process at the temperatureT=503 K has been found to be σ(1/2 → 3/2)=45 Ų ± 20%. The result is compared with previously published experimental cross sections for fine-structure transfer in resonance states of other alkali elements perturbed by potassium and a thoeretical value of the Li(2P _J )-K system calculated in a simple approach.     

Spectroscopy and kinetics of the 1P1 and 3P2 states of Hg 6s6p in xenon

The spectra and kinetics observed following excitation of Hg 6s6p(¹P₁) in xenon show the occurence of complex attachment and relaxation processes. The ¹P₁ attaches to Xe in termolecular collisions to produce HgXe E¹1, which emits a broad band with λ_max ≈ 2150 Å. Addition of krypton to Hg, Xe mixtures enhances the E-state emission by atom exchange with an HgKr^* complex. The E state also undergoes collisional deactivation by Xe, rate coefficient (1.75 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, to generate ³P₂. However, the predominant route for ³P₂ formation is via collision of ¹P₁ with Xe, rate coefficient ≈ 4 × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. With [Xe] at 760 Torr, about 75% of the generated ³P₂ is attached in the form of the HgXe(C ³2) complex; lifetimes up to 600 μs have been observed. Two new emission bands occur when ³P₂ is prepared in xenon. A sharp feature, slightly blue-shifted from the forbidden ³P₂:¹S₀ line, results when ³P₂ and Xe approach on the D ³1 surface. The other band is broad with λ_max ≈ 2520 Å; the carrier is assigned to an HgXe₂(³2_u) complex. Rate coefficients for deactivation of ³P₂ to lower ³P_J states have been measured.     

The interaction of metastable Ne(3s 3 P 2,3 P 0) atoms with alkali atoms

Using crossed beams of alkali atoms (Li, Na, K) and state-selected metastable Ne(3s ³ P ₂,³ P ₀) atoms, we have measured the energy spectra of electrons resulting in the respective Penning ionization processes at thermal collision energies. The spectra are very different for Ne(³ P ₂) and Ne(³ P ₀): those for Ne(³ P ₂) are broad due to a strongly attractive interaction potential with a well depth of 798 (30) meV (Li), 672(20) meV (Na), and 561(20) meV (K), those for Ne(³ P ₀) are narrow and compatible with van der Waals type attraction (well depth <50 meV). The Ne(³ P ₂) cross section exceeds the one for Ne(³ P ₀) by about an order of magnitude.     

Precision energies and hyperfine structures of the 5s5p 3 P 0,1,2 0 and 5s6s 3 S 1 levels in In II

Absolute frequencies of hyperfine components of the 230.6 nm (5s ^{2 1} S ₀?5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ ), 193.6 nm (5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁), 197.7 nm (5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁) and 207.9 nm (5s5p ³ P ₂ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁) transitions in In II emitted from a hollow-cathode source have been measured using a high-resolution, scanning échelle monochromator. The measured frequencies of these four transitions have been used to determine the energies and hyperfine interaction constants of the 5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ,³ P ₁ ⁰ ,³ P ₂ ⁰ and 5s6s ³ S ₁ levels in In II. The hyperfine interaction constants for the dominant isotope¹¹⁵In are found to be: 5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ A=0.2322(2) cm^?1,B=?0.0159(9) cm^?1 5s5p ³ P ₂ ⁰ A=0.1699(4) cm^?1,B= 0.021 (6) cm^?1 5s6s ³ S ₁ A=0.4022(4) cm^?1,B= 0.002 (2) cm^?1. The absolute frequency of the very narrow, strongly forbidden In II 236.5 nm (5s ^{2 1} S ₀?5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ) transition, which has been proposed as a candidate for a new optical frequency standard, is found to be 42275.986(7) cm^?1.     

Calculation of the photoelectron asymmetry parameters for the J = 0 → J1 = 2 transition in H2

The photoelectron asymmetry parameter for the J = 0 → J¹ = 2 transition in H₂ is calculated using p and f coupled partial waves and two different initial orbitals. The results are compared with experimental and other theoretical results.     

19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of some trisubstituted metal trifluorophosphine complexes. Examples of [AX3]3 nuclear spin systems

The ¹⁹F NMR spectra of π-allyl-tris(trifluorophosphine)rhodium(I), [A], benzene-tris(trifluorophosphine)chromium(0), [B], and nitrosyl-tris(trifluorophosphine) rhodium(-I), [C], are presented. These are examples of [AX₃]₃ nuclear spin systems (A = phosphorus, X = fluorine). The spectra of [A] and [B] have been completely analysed to afford values of ¹J(PF), ²J(PP′), ³J(PF′) and ⁴J(FF′).     

Theoretical study of Na(4p2P) + Na(3s2S) and Cd(5p3P0) + Na(3s2S) collisions and their role in the energy transfer between Cd.* and Na

We have computed the cross sections for the energy transfer process Cd(5p³P₀) + Na(3s²S) → Cd(5s¹S) + Na(4p²P) and for the state changing collision Na(4p²P) + Na(3s²S) → Na(3d²D) + Na(3s²S), based on theoretical interaction potentials for the NaCd and Na2 systems, respectively. Our calculations shed light on the interpretation of experiments with laser excited Na+Cd vapour mixtures [1]. It turns out that Cd(5p³P₀), in rapid equilibrium with the doorway state Cd(5p³P₁), efficiently transfers energy to Na, populating the 4p²P state. The collisions with ground state Na cause a very fast conversion of the 4p³P₁ to the 3d²D state, from which the strongest emission is observed.     

Energy dependence of rotational and vibrational distributions of N2(C) for the Ar*(3P0,2) + N2(X) excitation transfer reaction

The Ar* + N₂(X) → N₂(C, v′, N′) + Ar excitation transfer reaction has been investigated experimentally in two different atomic beam experiments. The inelastic cross sections Q_{v′ = 0}(E) and Q_{v′ = 1}(E) to the v′ vibrational level have been measured in the energy range 0.06 ⩽ E(eV) ⩽ 6, using a crossed beam machine. Both cross sections show a behaviour typical for a curve crossing mechanism, with maximum values Q₀ = 8.0 Ų and Q₁ = 1.2 Ų at E = 0.16 eV and E = 0.13 eV, respectively. The oscillatory behaviour of the ratio Q₁(E)/Q₀(E), as first observed by Cutshall and Muschlitz, is also present in our data. Within the model of Gislason et al. the results indicate a decreasing bond stretching with increasing energy. As an alternative we discuss the possibility that the oscillation is due to a different energy dependence of the cross sections for the Ar*(³P₀) and Ar*(³P₂) fine structure states in the mixed beam of metastable Ar*. The vibrational and rotational distributions have also been measured at E = 0.065 eV in a small scale atomic beam-scattering cell experiment, which can be considered as an intermediate between a bulk experiment and a crossed beam experiment. The relative vibrational populations are n_v′ = 100, 16.0, 3.03 and 0.31 for v′ = 0 through 3, with rotational “temperatures” of T_rot,v′ = 1960, 1010, 370 and 130 K. Pronounced deviations (“hump”) of the Boltzmann rotational distributions occur at N′ ≈ 27 for v′ = 0, 1 and 2, with a fractional population of 1, 3 and 11%. For v′ = 0 the “hump” is largely obscured by overlap with the v′ = 1 bandhead. These bimodal distributions are in qualitative agreement with the results of Nguyen and Sadeghi for v′ = 0. The results are discussed within the framework of a curve crossing mechanism with the Ar⁺-N⁻₂ diabatic potential as an intermediate. By assuming equal charges on both N atoms the Coulomb potential of the collinear orientation lies lower (0.45 eV at R = 2.5 Å) than the perpendicular orientation, with the consequence of different transfer probabilities for both orientations. Within a classical model or rotational excitation the final N′ values can be calculated for both orientations, resulting in much higher N′ values for the perpendicular orientation. This mechanism supplies a qualitative explanation for the observed bimodal rotational distributions.