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 XY2Z2 (C2v) Molecules: A Tensorial Formalism Adapted to the O(3)⊃Td⊃C2v Chain. Application to the Ground State of SO2F2

A tensorial formalism adapted to the case of quasi-spherical XY₂Z₂ asymmetric tops such as SO₂F₂ has been developed as an extension of the usual one for the tetrahedral molecules. We use the O(3)⊃T_d⊃C_2v group chain. All the coupling coefficients and formulas for the computation of matrix elements are given for this chain. Such relations are then deduced in the C_2v group itself. We also present a development of the Hamiltonian, dipole moment, and polarizability operators for the molecules under consideration using this formalism. These operators are involved in the calculation of the energies and intensities of rovibrational transitions and are essential for spectrum simulations. Expressions for the matrix elements are derived for these operators. A first application to the ground state of SO₂F₂ is presented. Programs for spectrum simulation and fit using these methods are freely available at the URL http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/LPUB/c2vTDS.html.     

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.     

Rotational spectrum of the v11 = 1 and v14 = 1 vibrational states of CH3CCCCH

The pure rotational spectra of the v₁₁ = 1 and v₁₄ = 1 vibrational states of the main isotopic species of methyldiacetylene have been recorded and assigned in the 80-400 GHz frequency range, spanning the quantum numbers 19 ? J ? 95 and 0 ? K ? 15. The present study allows us to provide accurate rotational, centrifugal distortion and vibration-rotation interaction constants. The experimental investigation has been strongly supported by quantum-chemical computations at the second-order Møller-Plesset theory (MP2) in conjunction with a triple-zeta quality basis set.     

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.     

Tensorial development of the rovibronic Hamiltonian and dipole moment operators for XY3Z molecules with a degenerate electronic state: Preliminary application to the CH3O radical

We present a development of the Hamiltonian and transition moment operators of XY₃Z (C_3v) symmetric tops molecules in a degenerate electronic state with the aid of a tensorial formalism developed in a recent paper [A. El Hilali, V. Boudon, M. Loëte, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 239 (2006) 41-50]. Electronic operators are defined from group theory properties. They provide a new approach to build an effective rovibronic Hamiltonian as well as an effective dipole moment operator for rovibronic transition of XY₃Z molecules. This model is studied qualitatively thanks to the tensorial algebra properties. Expressions of the matrix elements are derived for these operators. A first simple application to the ground electronic state of CH₃O is proposed as an illustrative example.     

Quantum interference effects in a multi-driven transition Fg = 3 ↔ Fe = 2

We calculated and studied the quantum coherence effects of a degenerate transition F_g = 3 ↔ F_e = 2 system interacting with a weak linearly polarized (with σ_± components) probe light and a strong linearly polarized (with σ_± components) coupling field. Due to the competition between the drive Rabi frequency and the Zeeman splitting, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) are appeared at the different values of applied magnetic field in both cases that the Zeeman splitting of excited state Δe is smaller than the Zeeman splitting of ground state Δg (i.e., Δe < Δg) and Δe > Δg. It is shown that the resonance is broader and contrasts are higher for Δe < Δg than that for Δe > Δg at the same Rabi frequencies of probe and coupling fields.     

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.     

The v6 = 1 and v6 = 2 vibrational states of DCF3

The high-resolution infrared spectra of DCF₃ were reinvestigated in the ν₆ fundamental band region near 500 cm⁻¹ and around 1000 cm⁻¹ with the aim to assign and analyze the overtone level of the asymmetric CF₃ bending vibration v₆ = 2.The present paper reports on the first study of both its sublevels (A₁ and E corresponding to l = 0 and ±2, respectively) through the high-resolution analysis of the overtone band and the hot and bands.The well-known “loop method”, applied to and , yielded ground state energy differences Δ(K, J) = E₀(K, J) − E₀(K − 3,J) for the range of K = 6 to 30.In the final fitting of molecular parameters, we used the strategy of fitting all upper state data together with the ground state rotational transitions.This is equivalent to that calculating separately the and coefficients of the K-dependent part of the ground state energy terms from the combination loops.All rotational constants of the ground state up to sextic order could be refined in the calculation.This led to a very accurate determination of C₀ = 0.18924413(25) cm⁻¹, , and also .In the course of analyzing simultaneously the overtone band together with the and ν₆ bands, the original assignment of the fundamental ν₆ band [Bürger et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc. 182 (1997) 34-49] was found to be incompatible with the present one. Assignments of the (k + 1, l₆ = +1)/(k − 1,l₆ = −1) levels had to be interchanged, which changed the value of Cζ₆ = −0.14198768(26) cm⁻¹ and the sign of the combination of constants C − B − Cζ in the v₆ = 1 level to a negative value.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of Δv = 2 sequence bands of the CO molecule in the ground electronic state

High-resolution emission spectroscopy of rovibrational Δv = 2 sequence bands is carried out from a low-pressure discharge through pure CO gas. The effect of rare gases on the production of the Δv = 2 sequence bands is also studied. The v′ → (v′-2) sequence bands up to v′ = 17 are observed. Bands involving 8 ? v′ ? 17 in the Δv = 2 sequence are reported for the first time. The 16-14 and 17-15 bands could be observed only in the presence of xenon as a buffer gas. Accurate molecular constants (T, B, D, H) for different vibrational states of the ground electronic state of ¹²C¹⁶O are determined from a global fit.     

High resolution analysis of the rotational levels of the (0 0 0), (0 1 0), (1 0 0), (0 0 1), (0 2 0), (1 1 0) and (0 1 1) vibrational states of SO2

A high resolution (0.0018 cm⁻¹) Fourier transform instrument has been used to record the spectrum of an enriched ³⁴S (95.3%) sample of sulfur dioxide. A thorough analysis of the ν₂, 2ν₂ − ν₂, ν₁, ν₁ + ν₂ − ν₂, ν₃, ν₂ + ν₃ − ν₂, ν₁ + ν₂ and ν₂ + ν₃ bands has been carried out leading to a large set of assigned lines. From these lines ground state combination differences were obtained and fit together with the existing microwave, millimeter, and terahertz rotational lines. An improved set of ground state rotational constants were obtained. Next, the upper state rotational levels were fit. For the (0 1 0), (1 1 0) and (0 1 1) states, a simple Watson-type Hamiltonian sufficed. However, it was necessary to include explicitly interacting terms in the Hamiltonian matrix in order to fit the rotational levels of the (0 2 0), (1 0 0) and (1 0 1) states to within their experimental accuracy. More explicitly, it was necessary to use a ΔK = 2 term to model the Fermi interaction between the (0 2 0) and (1 0 0) levels and a ΔK = 3 term to model the Coriolis interaction between the (1 0 0) and (0 0 1) levels. Precise Hamiltonian constants were derived for the (0 0 0), (0 1 0), (1 0 0), (0 0 1), (0 2 0), (1 1 0) and (0 1 1) vibrational states.     

On the cΠ (v = 0) state of carbon monoxide

A full analysis of the near infrared c³Π-b³Σ⁺ (0-0) band is given and term values for both states determined. The c³Π (v = 0) state was jointly analysed with the perturbing k³Π (v = 2) state and data from the c³Π-X¹Σ⁺ (0-0) transition and 3A band system were included. It is shown that the available data are consistent with the c³Π (v = 0) state having near Hund’s case b coupling with a spin-orbit constant of A = 0.45 ± 0.02 cm⁻¹, a homogeneous perturbation with the k³Π (v = 2) state, and Λ-type doubling arising predominantly from its interaction with the j³Σ⁺ state. A discrepancy with a more recent report of the 3A band system is identified and discussed. The perturbed b³Σ⁺ state term values are consistent with a previously reported five state interaction model.     

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.     

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.     

High-temperature electrical properties of magnesiowustite Mg1 − xFexO and spinel Fe3 − x − yMgxCryO4 ceramics

Phase relationships, thermal expansion and electrical properties of Mg_1 − xFe_xO (x = 0.1-0.45) cubic solid solutions and Fe_{3 − x − y}Mg_xCr_yO_4 ± δ (x = 0.7-0.95; y = 0 or 0.5) spinels were studied at 300-1770 K in the oxygen partial pressure range from 10 Pa to 21 kPa. Increasing iron content enlarges the spinel phase stability domain at reduced oxygen pressures and elevated temperatures. The total conductivity of the spinel ceramics is predominantly n-type electronic and is essentially p(O₂)-independent within the stability domain. The computer simulations using molecular dynamics technique confirmed that overall level of ion diffusion remains low even at high temperatures close to the melting point. Temperature dependencies of the total conductivity in air exhibit a complex behavior associated with changing the dominant defect-chemistry mechanism from prevailing formation of the interstitial cations above 1370-1470 K to the generation of cation vacancies at lower temperatures, and with kinetically frozen cation redistribution in spinel lattice below 700-800 K. The average thermal expansion coefficients of the spinel ceramics calculated from dilatometric data in air vary in the range (9.6-10.0) × 10^− 6 K^− 1 at 300-500 K and (13.2-16.1) × 10^− 6 K^− 1 at 1050-1370 K. Mg_1 − xFe_xO solid solutions undergo partial decomposition on heating under oxidizing and mildly reducing conditions, resulting in the segregation of spinel phase and conductivity decrease.     

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.     

CO2 adsorption on Cr(1 1 0) and Cr2O3(0 0 0 1)/Cr(1 1 0)

We attempt to correlate qualitatively the surface structure with the chemical activity for a metal surface, Cr(1 1 0), and one of its surface oxides, Cr₂O₃(0 0 0 1)/Cr(1 1 0). The kinetics and dynamics of CO₂ adsorption have been studied by low energy electron diffraction (LEED), Aug er electron spectroscopy (AES), and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), as well as adsorption probability measurements conducted for impact energies of E_i = 0.1-1.1 eV and adsorption temperatures of T_s = 92-135 K. The Cr(1 1 0) surface is characterized by a square shaped LEED pattern, contamination free Cr AES, and a single dominant TDS peak (binding energy E_d = 33.3 kJ/mol, first order pre-exponential 1 × 10¹³ s⁻¹). The oxide exhibits a hexagonal shaped LEED pattern, Cr AES with an additional O-line, and two TDS peaks (E_d = 39.5 and 30.5 kJ/mol). The initial adsorption probability, S₀, is independent of T_s for both systems and decreases exponentially from 0.69 to 0.22 for Cr(1 1 0) with increasing E_i, with S₀ smaller by ∼0.15 for the surface oxide. The coverage dependence of the adsorption probability, S(Θ), at low E_i is approx. independent of coverage (Kisliuk-shape) and increases initially at large E_i with coverage (adsorbate-assisted adsorption). CO₂ physisorbs on both systems and the adsorption is non-activated and precursor mediated. Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) have been used to parameterize the beam scattering data. The coverage dependence of E_d has been obtained by means of a Redhead analysis of the TDS curves.     

Illumination dependence of I-V and C-V characterization of Au/InSb/InP(1 0 0) Schottky structure

The effects of surface preparation and illumination on electric parameters of Au/InSb/InP(100) Schottky diode were investigated, in the later diode InSb forms a fine restructuration layer allowing to block In atoms migration to surface. In order to study the electric characteristics under illumination, we make use of an He-Ne laser of 1 mW power and 632.8 nm wavelength. The current-voltage I(V_G), the capacitance-voltage C(V_G) measurements were plotted and analysed. The saturation current I_s, the serial resistance R_s and the mean ideality factor n are, respectively, equal to 2.03 × 10⁻⁵ A, 85 Ω, 1.7 under dark and to 3.97 × 10⁻⁵ A, 67 Ω, 1.59 under illumination. The analysis of I(V_G) and C(V_G) characteristics allows us to determine the mean interfacial state density N_ss and the transmission coefficient θ_n equal, respectively, to 4.33 × 10¹² eV⁻¹ cm⁻², 4.08 × 10⁻³ under dark and 3.79 × 10¹² eV⁻¹ cm⁻² and 5.65 × 10⁻³ under illumination. The deep discrete donor levels presence in the semiconductor bulk under dark and under illumination are responsible for the non-linearity of the C⁻²(V_G) characteristic.