Effects of sampler-skimmer separation in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

The effects of varying the sampler-skimmer spacing in an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer are illustrated. The signals for a number of species were monitored including background ions (ArN⁺, ArO⁺, ArOH⁺, Ar₂⁺, Ar₂H⁺), background continuum, analyte ions (Cu⁺, Ce⁺, La⁺), analyte oxide ions (CeO⁺, LaO⁺), and matrix induced ions (ArNa⁺). As the sampler-skimmer spacing is increased over that normally used, the signal for some species decreases in intensity while the signal for others increases in intensity. There is a wide range of differential behavior and in some cases the signal changes are quite dramatic.

In addition to presenting results for an Ar plasma, measurements are also presented for a N₂-Ar mixed gas plasma. For some species, the signal changes observed when the sampler-skimmer spacing is increased are quite different with the N₂-Ar mixed gas plasma than with the Ar plasma and are, in some cases, opposite to signal changes observed with the Ar plasma. It appears that a larger sampler-skimmer spacing is more appropriate for a N₂ mixed gas plasma than the spacing normally used for a pure Ar plasma. Finally the effect of sampler-skimmer spacing on matrix effects is presented and it appears that matrix effects are not induced in the zone between the sampler and the skimmer.     

A proposal for the theoretical treatment of multi-electronic-state molecular dynamics: Hemiquantal dynamics with the whole dim basis (HWD). A test on the evolution of excited Ar3 cluster ions

A method which couples a model Hamiltonian to hemiquantal dynamics is proposed as a general theoretical treatment of multistate molecular processes. A test application to the Ar₃⁺ system is performed which involves four nuclear degrees of freedom and six quasidiabatic states. The method proves efficient for dealing with non-adiabatic transitions occurring at singularities like conical intersections and avoided crossings between potential surfaces.     

Ab initio CCSD(T) and MRD-CI study of excited states and the electronic spectrum of linear C5

Large-scale ab initio coupled cluster and multi-reference configuration interaction calculations (MRD-CI) are carried out to determine the equilibrium geometry and the vertical electronic spectrum of linear C₅⁺. Contrary to prior theoretical estimates we find three low-lying states within an energy range of 0.3 eV: ²Σ_u⁺, ²Σ_g⁺ and ²Π_g and a symmetric arrangement of nuclei. Transitions from ²Σ_u⁺ to these low-lying states are dipole-allowed; sizeable oscillator strengths are computed for the ²Π⁺_g←X²Σ_u⁺ transition at 2.62 eV and the ²Σ_g←X²Σ_u⁺ transition at 3.36 eV and should give a guide to spectroscopic identification of linear C₅⁺.     

Fraction of excited-state oxygen formed as b Σg in solution-phase-photosensitized reactions II. Effects of sensitizer substituent

The fraction F_Σ of excited-state oxygen formed as b ¹Σ_g⁺ was determined for a series of triplet-state photosensitizers in CCl₄ solutions. F_Σ was determined by monitoring the intensities of (a) O₂(b ¹Σ_g⁺) fluorescence at 1926 nm (O₂(b ¹Σ_g⁺)→O₂(a ¹Δ_g) and (b) O₂(a ¹ Δ_g) phosphorescence at 1270 nm (O₂(a ¹Δ_g) → O₂(X³Σ_g⁻)). Oxygen excited states were formed by energy transfer from substituted benzophenones and acetophenones. The data indicate that F_Σ depends on several variables including the orbital configuration of the lowest triplet state and the triplet-state energy. The available data indicate that the sensitizer-oxygen charge transfer (CT) state is not likely to influence F_Σ strongly by CT-mediated mixing of various sensitizer-oxygen states.     

Effect of concomitant elements on the distribution of ions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry — part 2: polyatomic ions

The effect of various concomitant elements in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was assessed by measuring the distribution of selected polyatomic singly-charged ions, i.e. oxides of selected analytes (LaO⁺ and CeO⁺) as well as some background ions (Ar₂⁺, ArO⁺ and CO₂⁺), in the plasma. This was accomplished while moving the ICP across and away from the sampling interface with or without a single concomitant element. This study included concomitant elements that were similar in ionization potential, but different in mass (Na, K, Cs and Cl, I), as well as similar in mass but different in ionization potential (K and Cl, Cs and I). Space–charge effects were dominant in many cases. However, the axial profiles of the LaO⁺/(La⁺+LaO⁺) ratio, which should be fairly independent of such effects, were only affected by easily ionized elements (E.I.E.s), i.e. alkalis. A shift of the whole axial profile to lower height A.L.C. was observed in the presence of 0.02 M K or Cs, which is strong evidence for earlier desolvation. However, no shift was observed with 0.02 M Na, where the profile was only suppressed at low heights A.L.C., where the electron density would be most affected. This is consistent with a shift in ionization equilibrium. Further evidence for the latter was observed in the Ar₂⁺ axial profiles, which were shifted to greater height A.L.C. in the presence of E.I.E.s. Finally, CO₂⁺ was found to behave like the analyte oxides and the analytes, in contrast to ArO⁺. This implies that CO₂⁺ originates from dissolved carbon dioxide in the sample.     

Photodissociation spectroscopy of Mg—Ar

Mg⁺—Ar ion—molecule complexes are produced in a pulsed supersonic nozzle cluster source. The complexes are mass selected and studied with laser photodissociation spectroscopy in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer system. An electronic transition assigned as X ²Σ⁺ → ²Π is observed with an origin at 31387 cm⁻¹ (vac) for ²⁴Mg⁺—Ar. The ²⁴Mg⁺—Ar spectrum is characterized by a 15 member progression with a frequency (ω′_e) of 272 cm⁻¹. An extrapolation of this progression fixes the excited state dissociation energy (D′_o) at 5552 cm⁻¹. The corresponding ground-state value (D″_o) is 1270 cm⁻¹ (3.6 kcal/mol). The ²Π _, spin—orbit splitting is 76 cm⁻.     

On the vibronic structure of all-trans-retinal in different environments

The great sensitivity of the electronic structure of a polyene in different environments is visualized through the all-trans-retinal molecule in solvents with different polarity. A vibronic structure in the ¹B_u⁺ ← ¹A_g⁻ transition of all-trans-retinal is detected in the second-derivative spectrum of the ordinary band-shape function. It consists mainly of a 1480 cm⁻¹ progression. Attempts to simulate this are presented. A correlation between the resolution in the vibronic structure and the polarity of the environment of retinal is found. A second excited state of all-trans-retinal may be responsible for the changes in the vibronic structure in the different solvents.     

Laser optogalvanic spectroscopy of N2 from the AΣu metastable state in a corona excited supersonic expansion

A hollow cathode combined with a corona excited supersonic expansion has proven to be an efficient method of producing a stable discharge in a N₂/Ar gas mixture. A high-resolution and rotationally cold absorption spectrum of the well-known (2,0) and (8,7) bands of the B³Π_g ← A³Σ_u⁺ first positive system of N₂ was recorded. It illustrates the sensitivity of the laser optogalvanic detection technique coupled to such an apparatus. A significant reduction of the linewidth and an enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio were obtained. A high variational excitation process has been observed and is discussed.     

Rates of virtually self-exchange energy transfer processes of ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

The rate constants of electronic energy transfer from the lowest excited state of Ru(bpy)₂(L)²⁺ or Ru(bpy)(L)₂²⁺ 10 Ru(L)₃²⁺ (b     

Near-IR absorption transition of H4 to F2 for UCl6 complex in M2ZrCl6 host crystals (M = K, Rb, and Cs): an experimental and theoretical study

The near-IR electronic transition from ground-state Г₁ of ³H₄ to the excited-state Г₃ of ³F₂ for the UCl₆²⁻ complex in three M₂ZrCl₆ host crystals (M = K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The vibration frequency of the excited state is found to be sensitive to the alkaline ion substitution and the frequency variation follows the trend predicted by the ‘counterion effect’. In contrast to previous studies, the apparent anomaly in the intensity ratio of the two vibronic peaks from the prediction of a Boltzmann distribution relationship is attributed to the vibration frequency difference between the ground and the excited state. This new interpretation is supported by computer simulation of the experimental optical spectra.     

An efficient closed-shell singles and doubles coupled-cluster method

A reformulated set of equations for the closed-shell singles and doubles coupled-cluster (CCSD) method is presented. A computational cost of n_v⁴n₀²+7n_v³n₀³+1n_v²n₀⁴ for the n⁶ steps is obtained, where n_v is the number of virtual molecular orbitals included in the CCSD procedure, n₀ is the number of doubly occupied molecular orbitals and n=n₀+n_v. Test calculations for the cis and trans isomers of FNNF and planar and pyramidal CH₃⁻ are presented. Equilibrium structures determined with large Gaussian basis sets at the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation level of theory are reported and used for the other electron correlation methods. With the largest one-particle basis set (144 contracted Gaussian functions), the equilibrium geometries of cis- and trans-FNNF agree with experiment. Based on analyses of planar and pyramidal CH₃⁻ wavefunctions and the calculated inversion barrier, it is suggested that the molecular anion may not exist in a planar configuration but that autodetachment of an electron occurs before the transition state is reached. Comparisons of our new CCSD procedure demonstrate that coupled-cluster methods are not significantly more expensive than similar electron correlation techniques.     

The discrimination between triplet state and radical cation in the pulse radiolysis of bithiophene in CCl4

The triplet state (³2T) and the radical cation (2T⁺√) of 2,2′-bithiophene (2T) are characterized by pulse radiolysis in CCl₄. Two main absorption bands at 360 and 420 nm are respectively attributed to ³2T* and to 2T⁺√. The triplet, induced in an excited state through a Förster mechanism, undergoes a conformational rearrangement (k₆=(6.8±0.9)×10⁶ s⁻¹). The radical cation is produced both through a resonance charge transfer and a second diffusional process; the two oxidizing species are respectively CCl₄⁺√ and (CCl⁺₃Cl⁻)_solv through the mediation of a singlet excited state, ¹2T*.     

N2O+离子B2П态的光谱与光解离动力学

用一束波长为360.55 nm的激光直接作用于超声射流的N₂O分子束, 通过(3+1)共振增强多光子电离(REMPI)过程制备纯净的N₂O⁺(X²П(0,0,0))母体离子, 再用另一束波长在243-278 nm范围的激光将母体离子激发至B²П态后解离. 扫描解离激光波长, 监测NO⁺离子碎片的强度, 从而获得N₂O⁺离子B²П态的光致碎片激发(PHOFEX)谱. 通过拟合转动分辨光谱, 得到了相应的转动常数和自旋分裂常数, 从而区分了A²Σ⁺态高振动能级和B²П态带源的贡献, 明确了N₂O⁺离子B²П态的光谱"带头"位置(37154 cm^-1), 并将获得的振动光谱初步归属为B²П(v₁,v₂,v₃)←X²П的振动跃迁序列. 通过对NO⁺碎片离子的飞行时间质谱峰形的分析, 还获得了解离过程中释放的平均平动能, 并结合电子激发态势能面, 讨论了N₂O⁺离子B²П态的解离机理.     

Pathway studies in the fragmentation of Ge(CH3)4 involving Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell photoexcitation in the range 49.5–450 eV

The dissociative multiple photoionization of tetramethylgermane (Ge(CH₃)₄) in the valence, and in the Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell regions has been studied by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled to synchrotron radiation in the range 49.5–450 eV. Total and individual photoion yields have been recorded as a function of the incident photon energy. Several discrete resonances over a structureless giant resonance are observed below the Ge(3p), Ge(3s) and C(1s) threshold regions. The structureless giant resonance corresponding to the Ge(3d) presumably arises from the continuum enhancement caused by the 3d→εf transition. Various monocations of H⁺, H₂⁺, CH_n⁺ (n=0–4), C₂H_n⁺ (n=0–5), GeH_n⁺, GeCH_n⁺, GeC₂H_n⁺, and GeC₃H_n⁺ are detected in the whole energy range. Dissociation processes have also been investigated by photoelectron–photoion and photoion–photoion coincidence methods. The dominant dissociation channel is found to be CH_n⁺–GeCH_n⁺ in the whole energy examined. Specific energy dependence of dissociation processes is observed in the Ge(3p) and Ge(3s) regions. With the help of ab initio HF/6-311++G(2df,p) calculation, we roughly estimated the photoabsorption positions and symmetries for the discrete core hole states.     

High-resolution laser spectroscopy of the AΠu-XΠg system of Br2

The laser excitation spectrum of the Br₂⁺ molecular ion was observed at rotational resolution for the first time, with the ions being generated by Penning ionization. In contrast to Cl₂⁺ and F₂⁺ but in agreement with recent theoretical work, no vibrational or rotational perturbations are observed. The data from a number of vibrational bands are fitted simultaneously to give reliable estimates of the Dunham rotational and vibrational constants. This fit indicates that the vibrational numbering used in previous studies should be increased by 1 in the upper state.     

A comparison of argon and mixed gas plasmas for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

The effects of adding N₂ to the outer gas flow of an Ar plasma in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are illustrated. With 5% N₂ added to the outer gas flow and provided the central (nebulizer) gas flow is increased, modest signal enhancements (up to a factor of 4) are observed. The degree of enhancement depends on the extent to which an element forms a strong metal oxide bond and also, to some extent, on ionization potential. An important feature of N₂ mixed gas plasmas for ICP-MS is that the signals for analyte oxide species (MO⁺) and certain background species (ArO⁺, ArOH⁺, Ar₂⁺, ClO⁺, and ArCl⁺) are significantly reduced (an order of magnitude) by the addition of N₂ to the outer gas flow. In addition to these observations, some results are also presented for O₂ and air (outer gas) mixed gas plasmas and N₂ (central gas) mixed gas plasmas.     

Photophysics of ruthenium(II) complexes with 2-(2′-pyridyl) pyrimidine and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands in fluid solution

The photophysics of three complexes of the form Ru(bpy)₃₋(pypm)²⁺ (where bpy2,2′-bipyridine, pypm 2-(2′-pyridyl)pyrimidine and P=1, 2 or 3) was examined in H₂O, propylene carbonate, CH₃CN and 4:1 (v/v) C₂H₅OH---CH₃OH; comparison was made with the well-known photophysical behavior of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. The lifetimes of the luminescent metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states were determined as a function of temperature (between −103 and 90 °C, depending on the solvent), from which were extracted the rate constants for radiative and non-radiative decay and ΔE, the energy gap between the MLCT and metal-centered (MC) excited states. The results indicate that ^*Ru(bpy)₂(pypm)²⁺ decays via a higher lying MLCT state, whereas ^*Ru(pypm)₃²⁺ and ^*Ru(pypm)₂(bpy)²⁺ decay predominantly via the MC state.     

Formation Mechanism and Emission Spectrum of AlO Radicals in Reaction of Laser－ablated Al Atom and Oxygen

IntroductionLaser ablation has been applied broadly toplasma production,cluster formation,nanometermaterial and thin film material preparation[1,2 ] .Us-ing spectroscopic technique and mass spectrometryto identify the transient species formed in the pro-cess could provide much useful information aboutthe prosperity ofplasma,the mechanism of materi-al growth[3 ,4] .Aluminum is an important metal material andwidely used in industry and daily life. To study thereaction mechanism of Al atoms with…     

Hydrogen peroxide photoproduction by the semicarbazide—tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)—oxygen system

A light-driven system consisting of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) as the photosensitizer, semicarbazide as the electron donor and molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor has been employed for hydrogen peroxide production. The efficiency of this photosystem markedly depends on pH: while the peroxide yield is almost negligible at acid, neutral or slightly alkaline pH, it reaches significant values at high hydroxide concentrations, the initial rate of H₂O₂ formation drastically increasing from pH 12 to pH 14. In 1 M NaOH solutions containing Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and semicarbazide at optimum concentrations, the number of catalytic cycles (or turnover number) undergone by the ruthenium complex over the complete course of the photochemical reaction is as high as 1.1 × 10⁴.

Spectrofluorometric and laser flash photolysis techniques were used to study the primary photochemical reactions involving the excited state of the ruthenium complex as well as the photochemically generated species Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ and Ru(bpy)₃⁺. It is proposed that at pH 14 a sequence of reactions leading to O₂ photoreduction by electrons from semicarbazide takes place, with the concomitant formation of H₂O₂; the excited state of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ appears to react via oxidative quenching by oxygen rather than via reductive quenching by semicarbazide. At neutral pH, in contrast, there is no H₂O₂ formation owing to the fact that semicarbazide is unable to reduce (Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ to Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, although the photoexcited ruthenium complex is quenched equally by oxygen.     

The vibration-rotation spectrum and anharmonic potential of H3

Some qualitative effects of anharmonicity on the spectra of H₃⁺ and D₃⁺ between low vibrational levels are described. Using large-basis vibration-rotation calculations with a Morse-based discrete variable representation for the vibrations and a symmetric-top basis for the rotations, new spectra of H₃⁺ and D₃⁺ have been assigned. This procedure was assisted by adjusting eight coefficients for H₃⁺ and six coefficients for D₃⁺ in the Meyer-Botschwina-Burton ab initio potential function, and eventually 621 new and old lines of H₃⁺ to levels up to 3ν₂ and 529 new and old lines of D₃⁺ to levels up to 2ν₂ have been fitted with standard deviations of 0.118 and 0.059 cm⁻¹, respectively. An attempt is made to compare five different potential energy functions for the H₃⁺ system, two ab initio and three adjusted to fit spectra of H₃⁺ or D₃⁺, by expanding them by the same procedure in the same variables. For extension of the present work to higher vibrational levels, more accurate boundary behaviour at linear configurations will be required, and some aspects of the use of hyperspherical coordinates are discussed.