Spectroscopy of XY3Z (C3v) molecules: A tensorial formalism adapted to the O (3) ⊃ C∞v ⊃ C3v group chain

A tensorial formalism adapted to the case of XY₃Z symmetric tops has been developed. We use the O (3) ⊃ C_∞v ⊃ C_3v group chain. All the coupling coefficients and formulas for the computation of the matrix elements are given for this chain. Such relations are also deduced in C_3v group itself.     

Spectroscopy of X2Y4 (D2h) molecules: tensorial formalism adapted to the O(3)⊃D2h chain, Hamiltonian and transition moment operators

A tensorial formalism adapted to the case of the X₂Y₄ molecules with D_2h symmetry has been developed in the same way as in the previous works on XY₄ (T_d) and XY₆ (O_h) spherical tops and XY₅Z (C_4v) symmetric tops. Here, we use the O(3)⊃D_2h group chain. All the coupling coefficients and formulas for the computation of matrix elements are given for this chain and used in the case of the Hamiltonian and transition moment operators.     

The ν1 + 3ν2 + 3ν3 and 4ν1 + ν2 + ν3 bands of ozone by CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy between 5900 and 5960 cm

The absorption spectrum of ozone, ¹⁶O₃, has been recorded in the 5903-5960 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy (α_min ∼ 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹). The ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃ and 4ν₁ + ν₂ + ν₃ A-type bands centred at 5919.15 and 5947.07 cm⁻¹ were newly observed. A set of 173 and 168 energy levels could be experimentally determined for the (1 3 3) and (4 1 1) states, respectively. Except for a few K_a = 5 levels of the (4 1 1) state, the rotational structure of the two states was found mostly unperturbed. The spectroscopic parameters were determined from a fit of the corresponding line positions by considering the (1 3 3) and (4 1 1) states as isolated. The determined effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operators were used to generate a list of 785 transitions given as Supplementary Material.     

The bending triad of the quasi-spherical top molecule SO2F2 in the 550 cm region

The analysis of the ν₃/ν₇/ν₉ bending triad of SO₂F₂ has been recently performed with the Watson’s Hamiltonian up to octic terms employing 79 rovibrational parameters but including only the first order Coriolis interaction terms, fixed to ab initio values [H. Bürger, J. Demaison, F. Hegelund, L. Margulès, I. Merke, J. Mol. Struct. 612 (2002) 133-141]. Since SO₂F₂ is a quasi-spherical top, it can also be considered as derived from the sulfate ion. We have thus developed a new tensorial formalism in the O (3) ⊃ T_d ⊃ C_2v group chain [M. Rotger, V. Boudon, M. Loëte, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 216 (2002) 297-307]. This approach allows a systematic development of rovibrational interactions and makes global analyses easier to perform even for complex polyad systems. We present here an application of this model to the analysis of the bending triad, with the same set of microwave assignments and almost the same set of infrared assignments as in the previous study of Bürger et al. It appears that we need to expand our Hamiltonian to a lower degree than the “classical” one (six instead of eight) when including also the second order Coriolis interactions. Our fit does not include more parameters. Furthermore, all of them are determined and the standard deviation of the rotational transitions is twice smaller. The analysis has been performed thanks to the C_2v TDS program suite, which is freely available at the URL: http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/LPUB/c2vTDS.html.     

High-resolution FTIR and MMW study of the v4 = 2 (A1, E) excited state of NF3 near 985 cm: the axial ground state rotational constants derived by the “loop-method”

The two substates v₄ = 2⁰ (A₁, 983.702 cm⁻¹) and v₄ = 2^±2 (E, 986.622 cm⁻¹) of the oblate symmetric top molecule, ¹⁴NF₃, have been studied by high-resolution (2.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹) infrared spectroscopy of the overtones and 2ν₄ − ν₄ hot bands. Transitions of the overtone, the hot band, and the previously measured fundamental band were combined to yield 585 ground state combination differences differing in K by ±3, with K_max = 36. Using the “loop-method,” a fit (standard deviation σ = 0.320 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹) provided a complete set of the hitherto not experimentally known axial ground state constants. In units of cm⁻¹ these have the following values: . Upper state parameters were determined using a vibrationally isolated model. Considering l (2, 2) and l (2, −1) interactions between the v₄ = 2⁰ and v₄ = 2^±2 substates and effects accounting for the l (4, −2) interactions within the kl = −2 levels, 25 upper state parameters were obtained by fitting 2747 IR data (1842 transitions, 905 deduced energies, J_max = 42, K_max = 39) with σ_IR = 0.353 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. Moreover, millimeter-wave spectroscopy furnished 86 transitions (J_max = 16, K_max = 13) measured on the v₄ = 2 excited state. A merged fit, refining 24 parameters using the described model gave σ_IR = 0.365 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ andσ_MMW = 0.855 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹ (26 kHz). The anharmonicity constants (in cm⁻¹) are x₄₄ = −0.84174 (2) and g₄₄ =  + 0.73014 (1). In addition to this model, the D, Q, and L reductions of the rovibrational Hamiltonian were tested. Standard deviations σ_IR = 0.375 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ and σ_MMW = 0.865 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹ were obtained for both D and L reductions, and σ_IR = 0.392 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ and σ_MMW = 0.935 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹ for Q reduction. The unitary equivalence of the majority of the 18 tested relations between the derived parameters was satisfactorily fulfilled. This confirms that the v₄ = 2 excited vibrational state can be considered in reasonable approximation to be isolated.     

External cavity tunable diode laser spectra of the ν1 + 2ν4 stretch-bend combination bands of NH3 and NH3

The ammonia ν₁ + 2ν₄ perpendicular stretch-bend combination band has been investigated in spectra of ¹⁴NH₃ and ¹⁵NH₃ recorded in the 6400-6800 cm⁻¹ region with an external cavity tunable diode laser (ECTDL) spectrometer. For ¹⁴NH₃, new assignments were determined initially by extrapolating from published low-J jet-cooled beam results up to transitions of higher J and K. Corresponding ν₁ + 2ν₄ transitions for the ¹⁵NH₃ species were then found by identifying similar patterns of lines with a characteristic downshift of approximately 9.7 cm⁻¹. Assignments were confirmed employing ground-state combination differences. Term values, a-s inversion splittings, l-doubling energies and parameter estimates from simple single-state fits are reported for the two ammonia species.     

High-resolution study of the ν1 + ν2 and ν2 + ν3 strongly interacting bands of D2Se

A high-resolution Fourier transform spectrum of the D₂^MSe species (M = 82, 80, 78, 77, and 76) in the region 2300-2500 cm⁻¹ was recorded for the first time and assigned. On the basis of these experimental data, rotation-vibration energies of the (1 1 0) and (0 1 1) vibrational states were fitted, and band centers, and rotational, centrifugal distortion, and resonance interaction parameters were determined for the main D₂⁸⁰Se species. The obtained set of 32 fitted parameters reproduces the 647 rotation-vibration energies with a rms deviation of 0.00024 cm⁻¹. The ν₁ + ν₂ and ν₂ + ν₃ bands of the other four isotopic species are analyzed as well.     

Effect of Cr substitution on the multiferroic properties of BiFe1 − xCrxO3 compounds

Single-phase BiFe_1 − xCr_xO₃ (x=0, 0.05 and 0.1) compounds are synthesized by a sol-gel process. The lattice parameters decrease and the magnetizations increase with the Cr content. Moreover, the magnetoelectric coupling between magnetic order and ferroelectric order at room temperature was enhanced.     

Ground state rotational spectrum of nitrogen trifluoride: The K = 3 splittings of NF3 and NF3

The ground state rotational spectrum of the ¹⁴NF₃ and ¹⁵NF₃ isotopic species of nitrogen fluoride has been observed in the ∼450-810 GHz frequency range. This investigation allowed us to improve the rotational parameters for both isotopologues. In particular, for the first time the K = 3 line splitting parameter and the sextic centrifugal distortion constants have been determined for ¹⁵NF₃.     

Density functional theory study into the adsorption of CO2, H and CHx (x = 0-3) as well as C2H4 on α-Mo2C(0 0 0 1)

The structures and energetics of the chemisorbed CO₂, CH_x species and H as well as C₂H₄ on the α-Mo₂C(0 0 0 1) surface have been computed at the GGA-RPBE level of density functional theory. It is found that CO₂ adsorbs dissociately into CO and O, in agreement with the experimental finding. The adsorbed O, CH_x and H species prefer the site of three surface molybdenum atoms over a second layer carbon atom (V_C site). On the basis of the calculated adsorption energies of CH_x and H, the sequential dehydrogenation of CH₄ and the C/C coupling reaction of CH_x have been discussed.     

Conductivity and sintering property of LaNi1 − xFexO3 ceramics prepared by Pechini method

Preparation of LaNi_1 − xFe_xO₃, which is one of the candidate materials of solid oxide fuel cell cathode, current collecting layer and interconnect coating was examined with Pechini method and solid state reaction method. Single phase LaNi_1 − xFe_xO₃ with large Ni content has successfully been prepared by low temperature sintering as 750 °C with Pechini method, whereas large amount of raw materials has remained with solid state reaction method by sintering at the same temperature. It can be ascribed to more homogenous cation distribution in raw powder material prior to sintering with Pechini method. It has also been revealed that LaNi_1 − xFe_xO₃ with x lower than 0.3 is thermodynamically unstable in air above 1000 °C. LaNi_0.6Fe_0.4O₃ showed superior property as cathode material with high electrical conductivity, thermodynamic stability and appropriate sintering property.     

Adsorption of CO, CO2 and NO molecules on a BaTiO3 (0 0 1) surface

Since the development of Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) technique, considerable attention has been devoted to various molecules adsorbed on various surfaces. Also, a new concept emerged with molecules on surfaces considered as nano machines by themselves. In this context, a thorough knowledge of surfaces and adsorbed molecules at an atomic scale are thus particularly invaluable. The present work describes the first Density Functional Theory (DFT) study of adsorption of CO, CO₂ and NO molecules on a BaTiO₃ surface following a first preliminary calculation of O and O₂ adsorption on the same surface. In the previously considered work, we found that a (0 0 1) surface with BaO termination is more stable than the one with TiO₂-termination. Consequently, we extended our study to CO, CO₂ and NO molecules adsorbed on a (0 0 1) surface with BaO termination. The present calculation was performed on a (1 × 1) cell with one monolayer of adsorbed molecules. Especially, a series of cases implying CO molecules adsorbed in various geometrical configurations has been examined. The corresponding adsorption energy varies in the range of −0.17 to −0.10 eV. The adsorption energy of a CO₂ molecule directly located above an O surface atom (called O_s) is of the order of −0.18 eV. The O-C distance length is then 1.24 Å and the O-C-O and O-C-O_s angles are 134.0° and 113.0°, respectively. For NO adsorption, the most important induced structural changes are the followings: (i) the N-O bond is broken when a NO molecule is absorbed on a Ba-O_s bridge site. In that case, N and O atoms are located above an O and a Ba surface atom, respectively, whereas the O-Ba-O_s and N-O_s-Ba angles are 106.5° and 63.0°, respectively. The N-O distance is as large as 2.58 Å and the adsorption energy is as much as −2.28 eV. (ii) In the second stable position, the NO molecule has its N atom adsorbed above an O_s atom, the N-O axis being tilted toward the Ba atom. The N-O_s-Ba angle is then 41.1° while the adsorption energy is only −0.10 eV. At last, the local densities of states around C, O as well as N atoms of the considered adsorbed molecules have also been discussed.     

Ultrahigh-resolution laser spectroscopy of the S1B2u ← S0Ag transition of perylene

A rotationally resolved ultrahigh-resolution fluorescence excitation spectrum of the S₁ ← S₀ transition of perylene has been observed using a collimated supersonic jet technique in conjunction with a single-mode UV laser. We assigned 1568 rotational lines of the band, and accurately determined the rotational constants. The obtained value of inertial defect was positive, accordingly, the perylene molecule is considered to be planar with D_2h symmetry. We determined the geometrical structure in the S₀ state by ab initio theoretical calculation at the RHF/6-311+G(d,p) level, which yielded rotational constant values approximately identical to those obtained experimentally. Zeeman broadening of each rotational line with the external magnetic field was negligibly small, and the mixing with the triplet state was shown to be very small. This evidence indicates that intersystem crossing (ISC) in the S₁¹B_2u state is very slow. The rate of internal conversion (IC) is also inferred to be small because the fluorescence quantum yield is high. The rotational constants of the S₁¹B_2u state were very similar to those of the S₀¹A_g state. The slow internal conversion (IC) at the S₁ zero-vibrational level is attributed to a small structural change upon electronic transition.     

Measurements of line intensities and determination of transition moment parameters from experimental data for the ν1 and ν3 bands of D2S

First measurements of line intensities for ν₁ and ν₃ bands of D₂³²S are reported. About 300 intensities of D₂³²S vibration–rotation lines were obtained from experimental high-resolution spectra recorded in the 1810–2051 cm⁻¹ region with the Fourier Transform Spectrometer built in Reims. Empirical values of transition moment parameters for ν₁ and ν₃ bands of D₂³²S were determined for the first time using a least-square fit to the observed intensities. Experimental D₂³²S intensities were compared with recent global variational predictions [Vl.G. Tyuterev, L. Régalia-Jarlot, D.W. Schwenke, S.A. Tashkun, Y.G. Borkov, C. R. Phys. 5 (2004) 189–199] computed from isotopically invariant potential and dipole moment functions of the hydrogen sulphide molecule. Average discrepancy between these calculations and our observed data was 0.03 cm⁻¹ for line positions of this spectral range. The discrepancy between these calculations and our measurements for the sum of line intensities was 5.5% and 3.5% for the ν₁ and ν₃ bands, correspondingly.     

N2-, H2-, and He-induced collisional broadening of the J = 24 ← 23 transition of HC3N located near 218.3 GHz at different temperatures

We report on experimental collisional relaxation of the J = 24 ← 23 line of HC₃¹⁴N, located near 218.3 GHz, induced by nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium. The measurements were carried out at selected temperatures in the 235-350 K range using a video-type spectrometer. The foreign gas broadening parameters and their temperature dependences were determined assuming Voigt lineshape profiles and the usual T⁻ⁿ temperature law. The experimental broadening parameters are compared with results derived using the ATC collisional formalism.     

Detection and analysis of new bands of O3 by CRDS between 6500 and 7300 cm

The absorption spectrum of the ¹⁶O₃ isotopologue of ozone has been recorded in the 7000-7920 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy. This report is devoted to the analyses of the 7065-7300 cm⁻¹ region dominated by the ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 5ν₃ and ν₁ + 5ν₂ + 3ν₃ A-type bands at 7130.8 and 7286.8 cm⁻¹ respectively. 289 transitions were assigned to the ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 5ν₃ band. The corresponding line positions were modeled with an effective Hamiltonian involving Coriolis resonance interactions between the (1 2 5) upper state and the (4 4 0), (0 2 6) and (6 1 0) dark states, and an anharmonic resonance interaction with the (2 0 5) state. The very strong interaction (up to 50% mixing of the wavefunctions) between the (1 2 5) and (6 1 0) states leads to the observation of two extra lines of the 6ν₁ + ν₂ band due to a resonance intensity transfer. 213 transitions of the ν₁ + 5ν₂ + 3ν₃ band were assigned and modeled taking into account a Coriolis resonance interaction with the (3 6 0) state.We take the opportunity of the present work to report the analysis of the very weak 4ν₂ + 4ν₃ B-type band at 6506.1 cm⁻¹ which was assigned from previously recorded CRDS spectra. 286 transitions were modeled using the effective Hamiltonian approach.The dipole transition moment parameters of the three analyzed bands were determined by a least-squares fit to the measured line intensities. For the three studied band systems, the effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operator parameters were used to generate line lists provided as Supplementary Materials.     

New high-resolution analysis of the {ν1 + ν3} band of the NO2 isotopomer of nitrogen dioxide: Line positions and intensities

The high-resolution Fourier transform absorption spectrum of an isotopic sample of nitrogen dioxide, ¹⁵N¹⁶O₂, was recorded in the 3.4 μm region. Starting from the results of a previous study [Y. Hamada, J. Mol. Struct. 242 (1991) 367-377] a new analysis of the ν₁ + ν₃ band located at 2858.7077 cm⁻¹ has been performed. This new assignment concerns (1 0 1) energy levels involving rotational quantum numbers up to K_a = 10 and N = 54. Using a theoretical model which accounts for both the electron spin-rotation resonances within each vibrational state and the Coriolis interactions between the (1 2 0) and (1 0 1) vibrational states, the spin-rotation energy levels of the (1 0 1) vibrational state could be reproduced within their experimental uncertainty. In this way, the precise vibrational energy, rotational, spin-rotation, and coupling constants were achieved for the {(1 2 0), (1 0 1)} interacting states of ¹⁵N¹⁶O₂. Using these parameters and the transition moment operator which was obtained for the main isotopic species, ¹⁴N¹⁶O₂, a comprehensive list of the line positions and intensities was generated for the ν₁ + ν₃ band of ¹⁵N¹⁶O₂.     

CW-Cavity Ring Down spectroscopy of O3. Part 1: Experiment and analysis of the 6200-6400 cm spectral region

The absorption spectrum of the ¹⁸O₃ isotopologue of ozone has been recorded in the 6200-6400 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy. The spectrum is dominated by the 2ν₁ + 5ν₃ and 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃ bands at 6270.6 and 6392.2 cm⁻¹, respectively which were treated independently. The rovibrational analysis of the 2ν₁ + 5ν₃ band has evidenced that the (2 0 5) upper state is perturbed by Coriolis resonance interactions with the (0 1 6), (3 0 4) and (3 5 0) states. A total of 659, 89, 131 and 5 transitions were assigned to the 2ν₁ + 5ν₃, ν₂ + 6ν₃, 3ν₁ + 4ν₃ and 3ν₁ + 5ν₂ bands, respectively. In the case of the 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃ band, 344 transitions were assigned. Some of them were found perturbed by a Coriolis interaction of the (2 3 3) state with the (5 2 0) state.Overall, 681 energy levels were derived from the analysis of the 2ν₁ + 5ν₃ and 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃ band systems. In both cases, a suitable effective Hamiltonian was elaborated, allowing accounting satisfactorily for the retrieved rovibrational energy levels. In addition, dipole transition moment parameters were determined by a least-squares fit to the measured line intensities. The effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operator parameters were used to generate a list of 1619 transitions given as Supplementary material.