The observation of predissociations in the oxygen molecular ion by low-energy electron impact

The kinetic energy distribution of the O⁺ ions formed by dissociative ionization of O₂ has been carefully examined in the range of 0.0 to 1.3 eV. In the peak at 600 meV fine structure is observed and interpreted by predissociation. The high energy side of the peak has been ascribed to the predissociation of the ²Δ_g, B²Σ^?_g and the C⁴Σ^?_u states of O⁺₂. The low energy side of the peak is presumably due to the predissociation of the b⁴Σ^?_g state or the ²Φ_u state of O⁺₂ or to autoionizing predissociation.     

Calculating constants of the rates of the reactions of excitation,ionization, and atomic exchange: A model of a shock oscillator with a change of the Hamiltonian of the system

A new model for calculating the rates of reactions of excitation, ionization, and atomic exchange is proposed. Diatomic molecule AB is an unstructured particle M upon the exchange of elastic-vibrational (VT) energy, i.e., a model of a shock forceful oscillator with a change in Hamiltonian (SFOH). The SFOH model is based on the quantum theory of strong perturbations. The SFOH model allows generalization in simulating the rates of the reactions of excitation, ionization, and atomic exchange in the vibrational-vibrational (VV) energy exchange of diatomic molecules, and the exchange of VV- and VT-energy of polyatomic molecules. The rate constants of the excitation of metastables A ³Σ _u ⁺, B ³Π _g , W ³Δ _u , B′³Σ _u ^-, a′³Σ _u ^-, and the ionization of a nitrogen molecules from ground state X²Σ _g ⁺ upon a collision with a heavy structureless particle (a nitrogen molecule), are found as examples.     

Fast calculation of excited-state potentials for rare-gas diatomic molecules: Ne2 and Ar2

A fast method for obtaining excited-state potentials of rare-gas diatomic molecules is described. Two types of excited orbitals are used: molecular orbitals calculated in the field of a singly charged molecular ion, and atomic orbitals (properly symmetrized) obtained in a similar atomic system. The RPA equations are solved within the manifold of excitations from the highest occupied orbital in each symmetry to the lowest excited orbital of either type in each symmetry. A simple model for estimating the dynamic correlation correction to excitation (and ionization) energies is given. Applications to excited states of Ne₂(^1,3Σ⁺_{g, u}, ^1,3Π_{g, u}) and Ar₂(^1,3Σ⁺_{g, u}) are described. Two-electron integral transformations involve only three orbitals of each symmetry, and the RPA matrices are four-dimensional. The computational effort required for all excited-state potentials adds less than one-tenths (in terms of computer time) to the effort involved in the preliminary ground state Hartree—Fock calculations. The resulting potentials compare favorably with more elaborate CI calculations and give good agreement with spectroscopic and scattering data. Potential curves for the molecular ions are also given.     

The pluvinage method for alkali dimers: Calculations for the Σ excited states of Na2 up to the (3p + 3p) dissociation limit

Twenty-six Σ potential curves of Na₂ are computed using a correlated orbital method. Rydberg series are seen converging to a bonding or antibonding Na₂⁺ curve. Crossings with the Na₂⁺ X ²Σ_g⁺ curve occur for the 8 ¹Σ_g⁺, 6 ¹Σ_u⁺, 6 ³Σ_u⁺, 7 ³Σ_u⁺, 1 ¹Σ_u⁻, 8 ³Σ_u⁺ curves at internuclear distances R = 5.4, 6.5, 6.6, 8.2, 9.0 and 9.4 au, respectively.     

A theoretical study of the bound electronic states of the C−2 negative ion

Configuration interaction calculation are employed to study the X ²Σ⁺_g, A ²Π_u, B ²Σ⁺_u, ⁴Σ⁺_u and ⁴Δ_u states of the C^?₂ ion. The results are in good quantitative agreement with experimental findings for the Herzberg—Lagerquist (²Σ⁺_u-²Σ⁺_g) bands and predict a T_e value for the ²Π_u state of only 0.40 eV; corresponding transition moment results are obtained as a function of CC distance. The Cl electron affinity is 3.43 eV, in good agreement with the most recent experimental estimate for this quantity.     

Theoretical study of the N+2 molecular ion

The Equations of Motion method has been applied in the calculation of potential energy curves for the X²Σ⁺_g, A²Π_u and B²Σ⁺_u states of N⁺₂. Results are also reported for a new dissociative ²Σ⁺_g state. The theoretical curves are directly compared with the experimental ones as well as in terms of spectroscopic constants. The applicability of the Equations of Motion method to this type of problem is critically examined and discussed with regard to the choice of basis set, numerical effort and agreement with experiment.     

Some ab initio calculations related to the predissociation of the C2Σu+ state of N2+

Ab initio calculations in the “first-order wavefunction” CI approximation have been performed for several states of N₂⁺ with ²Σ_u⁺, ²Σ_u^?, ⁴Π_u symmetry. A calculation of the electronic factor of the vibronic interaction between the B²Σ_u⁺ and C²Σ_u⁺ states seems to support the suggestion of Tellinghuisen and Albritton that the C state is predissociated by the continuum of the B state through nuclear momentum coupling.     

De-excitation rate constants of He(2 3S) by atoms and molecules as studied by the pulse radiolysis method

Time-resolved measurement of He (2 ³S) concentration by its optical absorption after electron pulse irradiation of HeN₂ mixtures confirms that the optical emission of N⁺₂(B ²Σ⁺_u → X ²Σ⁺_g) is based on the energy transfer (Penning ionization) from He (2 ³S) to N₂. The addition of other atoms and molecules to HeN₂ mixtures changes the decay rate of the optical emission N⁺₂(B ²Σ⁺_u → X ²Σ⁺_g), which is a detector of He (2 ³S), and gives the rate constant of He (2 ³S) de-excitation by various atoms and molecules. Our results are discussed from the viewpoint of a gas-kinetic collision model.     

Theoretical study of the vertical electron affinity and ionization potentials of C3

The electron affinity and first three ionization potentials of C₃ are calculated using the multiconfigurational SCF and configuration interaction methods and by Möller-Plesset perturbation theory. Whereas Koopmans' theorem and SCF calculations indicate that the first cation state is ²Π_u, upon inclusion of correlation effects both the ²Σ_u and ²Σ_g cation states are found to lie lower in energy. CI calculations indicate that the ground state (²Π_g) anion is stable by 1.74 eV. Allowing for the error in the calculated electron affinity of the carbon atom, C₃^? is estimated to be stable by 2.0 eV, in excellent agreement with the 2.05 eV value determined from recent photodetachment measurements. No excited anion states are found to be bound at the equilibrium geometry of the neutral molecule.     

Laser-induced fluorescence detection of N+2(X 2Σ+g) resulting from the He(23S) + N2 and He+, He+2 + N2 reactions in a flowing afterglow

The formation processes of N⁺₂ (X ²Σ⁺_g) resulting from the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization and the thermal energy He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ charge transfer reaction are studied by observing the N⁺₂ (B ²Σ⁺_u ← X ²Σ⁺_g) laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in a flowing afterglow. In both reactions, the vibrational population) decrease monotonically with increasing vibrational quantum number from υ″ = 0 to 3, and a population inversion with a peak at υ″ = 4 is seen. In the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization, the vibrational populations of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–2) are explained by a direct channel and the B —X radiative cascade, while those of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6) are ascribed to the collision-induced electronic energy transfer between the A ²Π_u and X ²Σ⁺_g states. In the He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction, the N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–3) is interpreted as the B−X radiative cascade and the collisional quenching of the unidentified states produced from the He⁺ + N₂ reaction, while the collision-induced electronic energy transfer from the N⁺₂ (A) state produced through the He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction is probably important for the formation of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6).     

Potential energy and dipole moment of the Na2+ ionic molecule

The potential energy curves of 26 electronic states of ²Σ⁺_{g, u}, ²Π_{g, u}, and ²Δ_{g, u} symmetries of the alkali dimer Na₂⁺, dissociating up to Na(4d) + Na⁺, are investigated using an ab initio approach involving a nonempirical pseudopotential for the Na⁺(1s²2s²2p⁶) core and core‐valence correlation corrections. Furthermore, the transition dipole functions between many electronic states and vibrational energy spacings are presented. The spectroscopic constants of these electronic states are extracted and compared with the available theoretical and experimental results. A very good agreement is observed, especially, for the ground and the first excited states. However, the comparison between our study and the model potential (MP) calculations (Magnier and Masnnou‐Seeuws Mol. Phys. 1996, 89, 711) for several states has shown a clear disagreement. The MP well depths of the 3‐4²Σ⁺_g, 1²Π_g, 3‐4²Π_g, and 2²Π_u electronic states are largely underestimated. In addition, the 5‐7²Σ⁺_g, 3‐7²Σ⁺_u, 2²Π_g, 4²Π_g, and 1‐2²Δ_u MP electronic states are repulsive, although in this work, they are attractive with potential well depths of some hundreds of cm^?1. The data presented in this study are very useful for studies on ion–atom interaction and cold collision in the presence of electromagnetic fields. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Predissociation of the C2Σu+ state of N2+

Two mechanisms for the predissociation of the C²Σ_u⁺ state of N₂⁺ are discussed - the accidental mechanism and a direct, homogeneous process C → B²Σ_u⁺. The matrix elements for the latter channel are dominated by a contribution from the nuclear kinetic energy operator, containing a Franck-Condon integral of form 〈?|?/?R|υ′〉.     

The structure of BO2 in its ground and low-lying excited states from ab initio SCF RHF AND CI calculations

Potential curves for the X²Π_g, A²Π_u, B²Σ⁺_u and C²Σ_g⁺ electronic states of BO₂ were calculated at ab initio SCF RHF and configuration interaction (CI) level. The results obtained are consistent with a linear molecular model for all states considered. The calculated structural parameters and transition energies are in good agreement with relevant experimental data.     

Fluorescence of dissociating fragments from supersonic jet-electron collisions

Supersonically cooled jets of nitrogen, methane, ethane, cyclopropane, and azomethane are crossed with collimated streams of electrons. The CH (B²Σ^? → X²Π) spectra resulting from the electron-induced dissociation of CH₄, C₂H₆, and CH₂)₃ can be fit with rotation temperatures between 4000 and 6000 K for an electron energy of 100 eV. Flourescence spectra of N₂⁺ (B²Σ_w⁺ → X²Π) from the dissociative ionization of azomethane yield a rotational temperature of =8×10³ K; from ionization of molecular nitrogen the rotational temperature of B²Σ_w⁺ N₂⁺ is 45 K. Mechanisms for these various processes are discussed.     

Ab initio study of electronic energy transfer in the quenching of CO*(a 3Π) by H2

Potential energy calculations for the interaction of CO(a ³Π) with H₂(X ¹Σ_g⁺) are presented, both at the MC SCF level and with the inclusion of extensive configuration interaction. In C_2v geometry, the lowest two ³B₂ surfaces exhibit a strongly avoided crossing. At the highest level of theory used, the lowest surface provides a barrier-free adiabatic pathway for energy transfer from CO(a) to H₂, the products being CO(X ¹Σ⁺) and H₂(b ³Σ_u⁺), which dissociates to two H atoms. The energy transfer occurs by a two-electron exchange mechanism.     

Analysis of bound-free fluorescence and improved characterization of the electronic and spectroscopic properties of the 11Σ u + state of Cl2

Synchrotron radiation is used to selectively excite the chlorine molecule in the VUV spectral range. Stationary fluorescence spectra of the 1¹Σ _u ⁺ state are observed following primary excitation of 1¹Σ _u ⁺ and 2¹Σ _u ⁺ . The bound-free part of the spectra is analysed with the aid of quantum mechanical computer simulations. A potential energy curve is constructed which is an approximation of the adiabatic double well potential energy curve of the 1¹Σ _u ⁺ state. The inner well is characterized byT _e =(73428±50) cm^?1,r _e =(1.85 ± 0.05) Å; for the outer well holdT _e =(64631±50) cm^?1,r _e =(2.57±0.05) Å, ω _e =(261±5) cm^?1, ω _e x _e =(0.668±0.01) cm^?1 (³⁵Cl₂;v′<30). The potential energy curve is successfully checked with fluorescence excitation spectra. Within the error limits, the results of a former synchrotron radiation study are verified. It is ruled out, that the Cl₂ “γ-state” recently observed with laser spectroscopic methods, can be attributed to the outer well of 1¹Σ _u ⁺ .     

A theoretical investigation of the origins of the green and red spectra of Ca2

The potential energy curves and transition moments of the ground state of Ca₂ and ¹Σ⁺_u states correlating with the ¹S + ¹P and ¹S + ¹D calcium atoms have been calculated. The calculations support the assignment of the observed emission spectra of Ca₂ in the red and in the green to transitions between the ground state and the 1,2¹Σ⁺_u states. Predissociation of the 1¹Σ⁺_u state is also shown to be possible from an interaction with the 1³Π_u state.     

Geometric and electronic structure of ground and excited states of groupVA diatomics. A theoretical LCGTO-MP-LSD study

LCGTO-MP-LSD calculation was performed for the ground and several low-lying excited states of homo- (N₂, P₂, As₂, and Sb₂) and hetero-nuclear (PN, AsN, AsP, AsSb, SbN, and SbP) groupVA diatomics. For all the systems the ground state is found to be¹Σ⁺. For N₂ and P₂, the¹Σ _g ⁺ ground state is followed by the³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Π _g ,³Δ _u ,¹Π _g , and¹Δ _u low-lying exited states while for As₂ the order is found to be³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Δ _u ,³Π _g ,¹Δ _u ,¹Π _g . Finally for Sb₂ the relative stability of excited states is³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Δ _u ,¹Δ _u ,³Π _g ,¹Π _g . For the hetero-nuclear diatomics the¹Σ⁺ ground state is, in the case of PN, AsN, AsP, SbN, and SbP, followed by the³Σ⁺,³Δ,³Π,¹Π and¹Δ low-lying excited states while for the AsSb diatomic an inversion of stability of the two last singlets occurs. The calculated spectroscopic parameters (Re, ωe, andDe) are in good agreement with all the available experimental results while, theTe values are overestimated by about 0.5 eV. Mulliken population analysis shows that both homo- and hetero-nuclear groupVA diatomics are essentially triple bonded systems.     

A CAS SCF CI study of the 1Σ+g and 3IIu states of the C2 molecule and the 4Σ−g and 2IIu states of the C+2 ion

Ab initio calculations of the X ¹Σ⁺_g and a ³II_u states of C₂ and the X⁴Σ⁻_g and a²II_u states of the C⁻₂ molecular ion are performed to determine the corresponding potential curves around the potential minima and at the dissociation limits. A large Gaussian basis set augmented by three d-type polarization functions on each carbon center is used to approximate the molecular orbits. The calculations are done at the complete-active-space SCF and multi-reference configuration interactions level. Spectroscopic constants and rotation—vibration energies are derived from the ab initio calculated potentials. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained for the X¹Σ⁺_g and a ³II_u states of C₂. In the earlier tentative assignment of the observed electronic transition around 2490 Å to the ²Σ⁻_g ← ²II_u system in C⁺₂, the lower state is confirmed by the present calculations to be C⁺ ₂ (²II_u).     

Diabatic molecular states and the shielded diatomic orbital method. Evolution of two-interacting state systems for molecular hydrogen

Within Lichten's method, shielded diatomic orbitals (SDO's) are proposed as a basis for building-up diabatic molecular states in the single configurati approximation. The determination of SDO's i.e. eigenfunctions in prolate spheroidal coordinates of the two-center problem with a parametric shielding potential is extended to mono-excited states of many-electron diatomic systems, the shielding potential being obtained from simple electrostatic considerations. Four diabatic molecular states of H₂ are investigated i.e. ¹Σ_g⁺ (2pσ², 1Σ_g⁺ (1s,σ 2sσ), ¹Σ_u⁺(1sσ,4Pσ), ¹Σ_u⁺ (1sσ, 4fσ) using a minimal basis of SDO'S. The dynamical evolution of the nuclei for the two sets ¹Σ_g and ¹Σ_u⁺ of two interacting states is described in both the diabatic and the corresponding adiabatic representation.