The dynamics of fullerene multifragmentation

The molecular dynamics statistical trajectory ensemble (MDSTE) method has been employed to study the fragmentation of fullerenes in a cross-beam collision experiment. Differential fragmentation cross-sections and double differential cross-sections of the final time step of the large scale molecular dynamics statistical trajectory ensemble simulation with improved statistics is presented. The envelope of the cross-sections of the small collision fragments (Fullerene multifragmentation: J. Schulte (N ⩽ 28)) follow a scaling law with σ(C_N) ≈ N^−λ, with λ = 1.54. An odd-even alteration with enhanced even number size fragments (N ⩽ 12) is found with a change of the alteration sequence starting at N = 15. The small and large fragments of the fullerene collisions are carbon chains and intertwined carbon chains with vibrational excitations close to that of an ideal cluster gas where about 50% of the collision momentum is transferred to internal vibrational energy, and a strong correlation of fragment mean coordination number and their respective excitation has been found.     

Collision induced fragmentation of small sodium cluster ions

The basic mechanisms of collision induced fragmentation of small sodium cluster ions (Na _n ⁺ n < 9) at keV collision energy are investigated by measuring the velocity vectors of the two fragments employing a new type of coincidence experiment. The results suggest that in most of the cases the lost of one Na atom can be interpreted as relevant of an impulsive mechanism. On the other hand, the lost of one Na⁺ ion seems to require transition to an electronically excited state of the cluster.     

Isoelectronic smoothing of oscillator strengths in the beryllium sequence

Isoelectronic smoothing of oscillator strengths has recently been suggested as a tool for correlating data obtained for different ions in an isoelectronic sequence. Here the method has been applied to the full range of nuclear charges for which data are available on the resonance transition 2s ^{2 1} S ₀?2s2p ¹ P ₁ ⁰ in the beryllium sequence (Z=4–26). A subset of data is determined which agrees very well with the interpolation curve thus established.     

Low-temperature phases of the solid electrolyte Ag26I18W4O16

Single crystal X-ray diffraction photographs taken with a Buerger precession camera, at temperatures 250, 214, and 122 K, corroborate the existence of three low-temperature phases of Ag₂₆I₁₈W₄O₁₆. These phases are labeled α′, β, and γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α′ phase is monoclinic, space group P2₁, Z = 2; the β phase is triclinic, space group $\text{P}\text{1}$ or P1, Z = 2; and the γ phase is triclinic, space group P1, Z = 1. Lattice constants at the aforementioned temperatures are given. Twins in the β and γ phases are related by the albite and pericline laws, as are twins in the feldspars. The highest symmetry known to be attained by the (W₄O₁₆)^8? entity is 2(C₂), which, strictly, it must lose at the transition to the α′ phase.     

Optical plasmon losses in stabilized Au55 clusters

Au₅₅ cluster compounds are investigated by optical spectroscopy and TEM. The optical spectra appear to be rather structureless, neither showing a collective excitation resonance nor exhibiting distinct absorption bands known from lower nuclearity clusters. We discuss changes of the electronic properties compared to larger Au clusters affecting both, 6sp electrons and5d-6sp interband transitions, the cluster-ligand-interaction being considered as a charge transfer process. We additionally report on a low temperature instability of the cluster compound, which results in changed optical extinction spectra. A characteristic absorption feature at λ=400 nm is attributed to small, ligand-free Au cluster fragments.     

Translational energy losses of LiF cluster ions

Translation energy loss (TEL) values have been measured in the collision-induced fragmentation of Li₆F₅⁺ cluster ions. TEL values varied between 1 and 8 eV in single collisions and showed a strong dependence on the centre-of-mass (com) collision energy. At large com collision energies (>800 eV) the TEL was small (?1.5 eV) and is explained by internal excitation. At lower com collision energies, TEL values were larger (up to 8 eV), and these are explained in terms of kinetic energy uptake by the target gas. TEL values observed using LiF and CsI clusters are compared.     

The two-photon spectrum of toluene vapor

The two-photon excitation spectrum of toluene-h₈ and toluene-d₈ vapor has been recorded under low resolution (1 cm^?1) in the region of the S₁ ← S₀ (¹B₂ ← ¹A₁) transition. Although the electronic transition is formally allowed in two-photon spectroscopy, a large fraction of intensity exists in a subsystem induced by the out-of-phase CC stretching vibration ν₁₄ (b₂). Band contours associated with each of the two assigned tensor components of the transition are identified and partially analyzed by comparison with the two-photon contours of fluorobenzene.     

Ion‐Induced Fragmentation of Amino Acids: Effect of the Environment

In general, radiation‐induced fragmentation of small amino acids is governed by the cleavage of the C? C_α bond. We present results obtained with 300 keV Xe²⁰⁺ ions that allow molecules (glycine and valine) to be ionised at large distances without appreciable energy transfer. Also in the present case, the C? C_α bond turns out to be the weakest link and hence its scission is the dominant fragmentation channel. Intact ionised molecules are observed with very low intensities. When the molecules are embedded in a cluster of amino acids, a protective effect of the environment is observed. The fragmentation pattern changes: the C? C_α bond becomes more protected and stable amino acid cations are observed as fragments of the molecular clusters. Evidently, the molecular cluster acts as a “buffer” for the excess energy, capable of rapidly redistributing excess energy and charge.     

Neutron powder diffraction study of the magnetic and crystal structures of SrFe2(PO4)2

The crystal and magnetic structures of SrFe²⁺₂(PO₄)₂ have been determined by neutron powder diffraction data at low temperatures (space group P2₁/c (no. 14); Z=4; a=9.35417(13) Å, b=6.83808(10) Å, c=10.51899(15) Å, and β=109.5147(7)° at 15 K). Two magnetic phase transitions were found at T₁=7.4 K (first-order phase transition) and T₂=11.4 K (second-order phase transition). The transition at T₂ was hardly detectable by dc and ac magnetization measurements, and a small anomaly was observed by specific heat measurements. At T₁, strong anomalies were found by dc and ac magnetization and specific heat. The structure of SrFe₂(PO₄)₂ consists of linear four-spin cluster units, Fe2-Fe1-Fe1-Fe2. Below T₁, the propagation vector of the magnetic structure is k=[0,0,0]. The magnetic moments of the inner Fe1-Fe1 atoms of the four-spin cluster unit are ferromagnetically coupled. The magnetic moment of the outer Fe2 atom is also ferromagnetically coupled with that of the Fe1 atom but with spin canting. The four-spin cluster units form ferromagnetic layers parallel to the [−101] plane, while these layers are stacked antiferromagnetically in the [−101] direction. Spin canting of the outer Fe2 atoms provides a weak ferromagnetic moment of about 1 μ_B along the b-axis. The refined magnetic moments at 3.5 K are 4.09 μ_B for Fe1 and 4.07 μ_B for Fe2. Between T₁ and T₂, a few weak magnetic reflections were observed probably due to incommensurate magnetic order.     

Relations of crystal structure to magnetic properties in the quasi-one-dimensional compound PbNi1.88Mg0.12V2O8

The crystal structure of the quasi-one-dimensional oxide PbNi_1.88Mg_0.12V₂O₈ has been studied by Rietveld analysis of combined high-resolution neutron and X-ray powder diffraction data at 300 K and at low temperatures. The (Ni/Mg)O₆ octahedral units share a common edge and form spiral chains along the c-axis of the tetragonal unit cell, without deviating the I4₁cd (Z=8) symmetry upon cooling. DC magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the system undergoes a magnetic phase transition below T_N≅3.4 K. Rietveld analysis of the medium resolution neutron powder diffraction data confirms that impurity-induced antiferromagnetic order (with propagation vector, ) takes over from the Haldane ground state of the parent compound. The power-law [β=0.31(3)] temperature evolution of the strongest magnetic Bragg peak intensity indicates three-dimensional Ising-type magnetic interactions, while the reduced magnitude of the Ni²⁺ moment [〈μ〉=0.98(3) μ_B] suggests important zero-point spin fluctuations. Structural considerations are consistent with small changes in the interatomic distances around the bridging tetrahedral VO₄ entities separating the chains. However, no bulk structural phase transition concurrent to the Néel ordering is found. We show that the modification of intra- and inter-chain Ni-Ni distances upon cooling promotes the magnetic coupling of the end-of-chain liberated S=1/2 spins and leads to antiferromagnetic ordering.     

Collision induced fragmentation of mass-selected (CO2) n + clusters

The collisional velocity dependence of the cross sections for fragmentation of mass-selected (CO₂) _n ⁺ (n+2...7) clusters in collisions with Ar atoms is presented. Interesting structure can be observed in the cross sections which indicate that the collision occurs between the Ar atom and one CO₂ molecule within the cluster. The results may be explained by assuming that the collision leads to either vibrational excitation of a loosely bound CO₂ monomer which then leaves the cluster or excitation of the entire cluster to a dissociative state.     

Ab initio calculation of the vertical excitation energies of small helium cluster ions

Quantum chemical ab initio calculations have been performed for the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of all low-lying electronically excited states of small helium cluster ions, He _n ⁺ ,n=2, ..., 7. The geometrical structures of the ions were fixed at the equilibrium geometries of the respective ground states, for He ₄ ⁺ and He ₅ ⁺ also one alternative structure was considered. The low-lying excited states can be classified into two categories: the electronic transition can occur either within the central He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ unit or from the peripheral weakly bound He atoms to this unit. The latter transitions are very weak (f≈0.001), closely spaced, with vertical excitation energies of about 5.7 eV. The He ₂ ⁺ and He ₃ ⁺ units have strong transitions at 9.93 and 5.55 eV, respectively; these transitions are only slightly blue-shifted if He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ are placed as “chromophores” into the centre of a larger He _n ⁺ cluster. The large difference in the vertical excitation energy of the strong transition should enable an experimental decision of the question whether the cluster ions have He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ cores.     

Size-dependent barriers for reaction of aluminum cluster ions with oxygen

Reactions of cooled, size-selected aluminum cluster ions (Al_n⁺, n = 1–8) with oxygen have been studied at collision energies from 0.15 to 10.0 eV (center-of-mass) under single-collision conditions. With the exception of the atomic ion, all size clusters undergo exoergic reactions which result in extensive fragmentation of the metal cluster framework. Significant energy barriers are found for reaction of all clusters except the dimer. The barrier height increases with cluster size from Al₃⁺ to Al₇⁺, then drops for Al₈⁺.     

Observation of “intramolecular” ion-molecule reactions within ionized clusters: the methyl fluoride system

Methyl fluoride cluster beams, (CH₃F)_n ionized by electron impact (EI) yield fragmentation patterns consisting solely of protonated parent ions plus ionic fragments produced by ejection of closed-shell molecules (e.g., HF, H₂, F₂, CH₄, in various combinations) therefrom. These ionic fragments result from extensive intramolecular rearrangement within the excited, solvated CH₃F⁺ ion. The major reactive processes are rationalized in terms of known gas phase bimolecular ion-molecule reactions, including those of the dimethylfluoronium ion.     

Fragmentation of doubly charged argon clusters

Fragmentation of doubly charged argon clusters is reported. Neutral argon clusters are excited with monochromatized synchrotron radiation in the energy regime of the argonL ₃/L ₂ absorption edges (240–260 eV) leading predominantly to cluster dication formation. All charged particles are detected in a photoelectron-photoion-photoion-concidence (PEPIPICO) experiment. Symmetric and asymmetric charge separation reactions (Coulomb explosion) are identified for clusters below the critical size of stable dication formation. The peak shapes of the coincidence signals are investigated as a function of neutral cluster size. Characteristic changes in peak shape are observed which are used to derive fragmentation mechanisms involving sequential evaporation of neutrals before and after charge separation. The spectra indicate in accordance with low kinetic energy releases occurring in charge separation of large dissociative cluster dications (Ar _n ²⁺ , withn>50) that due to large charge separation distances the momenta of both singly charged fragments are not any more directed into opposite direction, as it is typical for Coulomb explosion. The results are compared to collision induced fragmentation of mass selected argon cluster dications as well as photon stimulated desorption spectra of condensed argon.     

Crystal structure, vibrational properties and luminescence of NaMg3Al(MoO4)5 crystal doped with Cr ions

Crystals of NaMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ doped with 0.5% Cr³⁺ ions have been synthesized and characterized by a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis and IR, Raman, electron absorption and luminescence spectroscopic studies. It has been shown that NaMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ crystallizes in the structure, with a=6.8744(8) Å, b=6.9342(7) Å, c=17.605(2) Å, α=87.788(8)°, β=87.727(9)°, γ=78.501(9)°, Z=2. The characteristic feature of the structure is its enormously large thermal displacement parameter for sodium, even at 105 K. The IR and Raman spectra indicate significant interactions between the MoO₄²⁻ ions in the structure. The electron absorption, excitation and luminescence studies have shown that there are at least two different sites of incorporated Cr³⁺ ions in the NaMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ crystal structure. They differ themselves by strength of crystalline field. One of them is characterized by Cr³⁺ in low ligand field and ⁴T₂→⁴A₂ emission whereas the second is characterized by higher strength of the crystal field and dominant ²E→⁴A₂ emission. Temperature-dependent studies show that the compound does not exhibit any phase transition.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of LaM 1.5 II MnFeO6 manganitoferrites (MII = Mg,Ca, Sr,Ba)

LaM _1.5 ^II MnFeO₆ manganitoferrites (M^II = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) have been synthesized by ceramic technology from lanthanum oxide, manganese(III) oxide, iron(III) oxide, and alkali-earth carbonates. X-ray powder diffraction shows that these compounds crystallize in cubic crystal system with the following unit cell parameters: for LaMg_1.5MnFeO₆: a = 20.232 ± 0.032 Å, V ⁰ = 8281.642 ± 0.096 ų, Z = 10, ρ_X = 7.38 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 7.29 ± 0.06 g/cm³; for LaCa_1.5MnFeO₆: a = 20.056 ± 0.017 Å, V ₀ = 8067.388 ± 0.051 ų, Z = 8, ρ_X = 5.89 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.78 ± 0.06 g/cm³; for LaSr_1.5MnFeO₆: a = 20.117 ± 0.021 Å, V ₀ = 8141.223 ± 0.063 ų, Z = 8, V _u.c. ⁰ = 1017.653 ± 0.008 ų, ρ_X = 6.64 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 6.56 Å 0.08 g/cm³; for LaBa_1.5MnFeO₆: a = 20.361 ± 0.025 Å, V ₀ = 8441.066 ± 0.075 ų, Z = 8, ρ_X = 7.31 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 7.25 ± 0.07 g/cm³.     

Fragmentation of the tryptophan cluster [Trp9-2H]2- induced by different activation methods

Electrospray ionization (ESI) of tryptophan gives rise to multiply charged, non‐covalent tryptophan cluster anions, [Trp_n–xH]^x?, in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer, as confirmed by high‐resolution experiments performed on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometer. The smallest multiply charged clusters that can be formed in the linear ion trap as a function of charge state are: x = 2, n = 7; x = 3, n = 16; x = 4, n = 31. The fragmentation of the dianionic cluster [Trp₉–2H]^2? was examined via low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID), ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) at 266 nm and electron‐induced dissociation (EID) at electron energies ranging from >0 to 30 eV. CID proceeds mostly via charge separation and evaporation of neutral tryptophan. The smallest doubly charged cluster that can be formed via evaporation of neutral tryptophans is [Trp₇–2H]^2?, consistent with the observation of this cluster in the ESI mass spectrum. UVPD gives singly charged tryptophan clusters ranging from n = 2 to n = 9. The latter ion arises from ejection of an electron to give the radical anion cluster, [Trp₉–2H]^?.. The types of gas‐phase EID reactions observed are dependent on the energy of the electrons. Loss of neutral tryptophan is an important channel at lower energies, with the smallest doubly charged ion, [Trp₇–2H]^2?, being observed at 19.8 eV. Coulomb explosion starts to occur at 19.8 eV to form the singly charged cluster ions [Trp_x–H]^? (x = 1–8) via highly asymmetric fission. At 21.8 eV a small amount of [Trp₂–H–NH₃]^? is observed. Thus CID, UVPD and EID are complementary techniques for the study of the fragmentation reactions of cluster ions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neutron diffraction experiments on CsCrI3 at 300, 77, and 1.2 K

CsCrI₃ has been investigated by neutron powder diffraction at room temperature and 77 and 1.2 K. It undergoes a phase transition at 150 K due to the cooperative Jahn-Teller effect. The high-temperature form, α-CsCrI₃ (hexagonal, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}\text{, a = 8.127(1)}$Å, c = 6.944(1)Å, Z = 2), adopts the BaNiO₃ structure with a local Jahn-Teller distortion. The low-temperature form, β-CsCrI₃ (orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a = 8.102(1)Å, b = 13.792(1)Å, c = 6.900(1)Å, Z = 4), has a structure not yet been reported for a Jahn-Teller distorted BaNiO₃ structure. It is shown that the low-temperature form can be derived from the BaNiO₃ structure by means of a canting of triangles, formed by the three common I^? ions of two adjacent CrI₆^4? octahedra. The magnetic structure of β-CsCrI₃ at 1.2 K is found to consist of an antiparallel sequence of ferromagnetic (0 0 1) planes with a magnetic moment in the ∥1 0 0∥ direction of 3.16 μ_B.