A Theoretical Study of ãA2 CH2

The potential energy surface and dipole moment surfaces of the ã⁴A₂ electronic state of CH₂⁺ are calculated ab initio using an augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-ζ (aug-cc-pVQZ) basis set, with the incorporation of dynamical correlation using the coupled cluster method with single and double excitations and perturbatively connected triple excitations [CCSD(T)]. We use these surfaces in the MORBID program system to calculate rotation and rotation-vibration term values for ã-state CH₂⁺, CD⁺₂, and CHD⁺ and to simulate the rotation and rotation-vibration absorption spectrum of CH₂⁺ in the ã⁴A₂ electronic state. Our work is motivated by studies of CH₂⁺ that use the Coulomb explosion imaging technique and by the goal of predicting spectra that may be obtained from discharge sources. Although the ã state is the lowest-lying excited state above the X?/Ã ground state pair, it turns out to be relatively high-lying, and we determine that T_e(ã)=30447.5 cm⁻¹. The equilibrium bond angle for ã-state CH₂⁺ is only 77.1°; as a result the asymmetric top κ value is close to 0, and the molecule is equally far from the oblate and prolate symmetric top limits in this electronic state.     

Highly sensitive absorption spectroscopy of carbon dioxide by ICLAS-VeCSEL between 8800 and 9530 cm

The absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide has been studied between 8800 and 9530 cm⁻¹ by intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy based on a vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VeCSEL). Previous laboratory spectra at high resolution were nearly absent in the considered spectral region. Experiments were carried with natural carbon dioxide and with ¹³C enriched carbon dioxide leading to the determination of the rovibrational parameters of a total of 15 very weak vibrational transitions, including two bands of the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O isotopologue. The observed transitions are assigned to components of the 2ν₁ + 3ν₃ triad and of the much weaker 5ν₁ + ν₃ hexad. Our measured line positions are found in excellent agreement with the predictions of the effective Hamiltonians developed for ¹²C¹⁶O₂ and ¹³C¹⁶O₂ but significant deviations were evidenced for the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O minor isotopologue. The relative band intensities within each polyad are also discussed on the basis of the effective Hamiltonian model.     

High sensitivity CW-CRDS of O enriched water near 1.6 μm

The absorption spectrum of ¹⁸O enriched water has been recorded by continuous wave cavity ring down spectroscopy between 5905.7 and 6725.7 cm⁻¹ using a series of fibred DFB lasers. The investigated spectral region corresponds to the important 1.55 μm transparency window of the atmosphere where water absorption is very weak. The typical CRDS sensitivity (noise equivalent absorption of 5×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹) allowed for the detection of lines with intensity as low as 10⁻²⁸ cm/molecule while the minimum intensity value provided by HITRAN in the considered spectral region is 1.7×10⁻²⁴ cm/molecule. The line parameters were retrieved with the help of an interactive least squares multi-lines fitting program assuming a Voigt function as line profile. Overall, 4510 absorption lines belonging to the H₂¹⁸O, H₂¹⁶O, HD¹⁸O, HD¹⁶O and H₂¹⁷O water isotopologues were measured. Their intensities range between 3×10⁻²⁹ and 5×10⁻²³ cm/molecule at 296 K and the typical accuracy on the line positions is 1×10⁻³ cm⁻¹. 2074 of the observed lines attributed to H₂¹⁸O, HD¹⁸O and H₂¹⁷O are reported for the first time. The transitions were assigned on the basis of variational calculations resulting in 288, 135 and 38 newly determined rovibrational energy levels for the H₂¹⁸O, HD¹⁸O and H₂¹⁷O isotopologues, respectively. The new data set includes the band origin of the 4ν₂ bending overtone of H₂¹⁸O at 6110.4239 cm⁻¹ and rovibrational levels corresponding to J and K_a values up to 18 and 12, respectively, for the strongest bands of H₂¹⁸O: 4ν₂, ν₁+2ν₂, 2ν₂+ν₃, 2ν₁, ν₁+ν₃, and ν₂+ν₃. The obtained experimental results have been compared to the spectroscopic parameters provided by the HITRAN database and to the recent IUPAC critical review of the rovibrational spectrum of H₂¹⁸O and H₂¹⁷O as well as to variational calculations. Large discrepancies between the 4ν₂ variationally predicted and experimental intensities have been evidenced for the H₂¹⁸O and H₂¹⁶O molecules.     

Oscillator strength of F2 − colour centres in LiF crystal

The absorption cross-section integral and the oscillator strength of the 960 nm absorption band due to F₂ ^– colour centres in LiF crystal is determined at room temperature from the absorption cross-section spectrum of the F₂ ^– centres obtained from saturable absorption studies. A comparison with previous results is made.     

CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy of the ozone molecule in the 6220-6400 cm region

The absorption spectrum of ozone,¹⁶O₃, has been recorded in the 6220-6400 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy (α_min ∼ 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹). 1836 rovibrational transitions have been assigned to the 2ν₂ + 5ν₃, 5ν₁ + ν₃ and 2ν₁ +  2ν₂ + 3ν₃ A-type bands centred at 6305, 6355 and 6387 cm⁻¹, respectively. In addition, 99 lines of the very weak ν₁ + 2ν₂ +  4ν₃ and 4ν₁ + 3ν₂ B-type bands are identified. The modeling of the observed spectrum in the effective Hamiltonian approach was particularly laborious and complex as several rovibrational interactions of both Coriolis and anaharmonic type were found to be of importance, in particular for the (124) vibrational state. Nevertheless, it has finally been possible to fit the 990 experimentally determined energy levels with an rms deviation of 8.29 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ and to derive the transition moment parameters allowing a satisfactory reproduction of the observed intensities. As the differences in positions between the final calculations and observations are still larger than the experimental accuracy, we provide the list of all energy levels derived from the observation, in addition to their differences with the calculated ones. These experimental energy levels, with the transition moment parameters were used to generate a line-list of 2451 transitions, reproducing the observed spectrum. This list is given as Supplementary Material.     

Blue luminescence in Tm-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Up-conversion blue emissions of trivalent thulium ions in monoclinic KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at 454 and 479 nm are reported for a single pump laser source at 688 nm. We grew thulium-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals at several concentrations from 0.1% to 10%. We recorded a polarized optical absorption spectrum for the ³F₂+³F₃ energy levels of thulium at room temperature and low temperature (6 K). From the low temperature emission spectra we determined the splitting of the ³H₆ ground state. The blue emissions are characterized as a function of the dopant concentration and temperature from 10 K to room temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that sequential two-photon excitation process (STEP) generated blue emissions in thulium-doped single crystals with a single excitation wavelength.     

CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy of the ozone molecule in the 5980-6220 cm region

The absorption spectrum of ozone, ¹⁶O₃, has been recorded in the 5980-6220 cm⁻¹ region by high sensitivity CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (α_min ∼ 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹). This study extends a first investigation with the same experimental set-up limited to the 6030-6090 cm⁻¹ spectral region [M.-R. De Backer-Barilly, A. Barbe, Vl.G. Tyuterev, D. Romanini, B. Moeskops, A. Campargue, J. Mol. Struct. 780-781 (2006) 225-233] where the analysis of two A-type bands was reported, using FTS spectra for complementary information. The spectral extension of the recordings allows not only to enlarge considerably the observed transitions of these two bands, but more importantly, to assign four new bands: the 3ν₂ + 4ν₃,5ν₁ + ν₂ and ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 4ν₃ B-type bands which were considered as dark in our previous report and the 3ν₁ + 3ν₂ + ν₃ A-type band. The high mixing of the observed states approaching the dissociation limit, leads to the breakdown of the polyad structure and ambiguities in the vibrational labelling which are discussed. Finally, 1789 transitions were assigned, and a suitable Hamiltonian model allows reproducing correctly the observations for five of the six observed bands. The list of 1004 experimentally determined energy levels is provided. The determined effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operators were used to generate a list of 5338 transitions given as Supplementary Material. It is interesting to note that the d₅ parameter of the effective transition moment is of great importance to account for the observed intensities of the B-type bands.     

237Np and 57Fe Mössbauer study of NpFeGa5

⁵⁷Fe and ²³⁷Np Mössbauer ōmeasurements have been performed for NpFeGa₅, which is one of the so-called neptunium 1-1-5 compounds. The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra below T _N = 118 K show the magnetically ordered state. The magnitude of the hyperfine magnetic field at the ⁵⁷Fe nucleus is determined to be 1.98 ± 0.05 T at 10 K. From the ²³⁷Np Mössbauer spectrum at 10 K, the hyperfine magnetic field at the ²³⁷Np nucleus is 203 T and the hyperfine coupling constant is determined to be 237 T/μ_B using the Np atomic magnetic moment of 0.86 μ_B determined by the neutron diffraction study.     

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 sensitivity ICLAS of H2O in the 12,580-13,550 cm transparency window

High-sensitivity Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) is used to measure the high resolution absorption spectrum of H₂¹⁸O between 12,580 and 13,550 cm⁻¹. This spectral region covers the 3v+δ polyad of very weak absorption. Four isotopologues of water (H₂¹⁸O, H₂¹⁶O, H₂¹⁷O, HD¹⁸O) are found to contribute to the observed spectrum. Spectrum analysis is performed with the aid of variational calculations and allowed for assigning 1126 lines belonging to H₂¹⁸O, while only 160 H₂¹⁸O lines are included in the HITRAN-2008 database. Altogether, 823 accurate energy levels of H₂¹⁸O are determined from transitions attributed to 26 upper vibrational states, 438 of them being reported for the first time. New information includes energy levels of four newly observed vibrational states of H₂¹⁸O: (2 4 0), (1 4 1), (0 4 2) and (2 3 1) at 13,167.718, 13,212.678, 13,403.71 and 15,073.975 cm⁻¹, respectively. H₂¹⁸O transitions involving highly excited bending states like (1 6 0), (0 6 1), (0 7 1), (1 7 0), (0 9 0) and even (0 10 0) have been identified as a result of an intensity borrowing from stronger bands via high-order resonance interactions. Thirty-six new energy levels of H₂¹⁷O, present with a 2% relative concentration in our sample, could be determined. The rotational structure of the (0 2 3) state of HD¹⁸O at 13,245.497 cm⁻¹ is also reported for the first time.     

CRDS spectroscopy of O3. Part 2: Analysis of six interacting bands between 5930 and 6080 cm

The absorption spectrum of ¹⁸O₃ has been recorded in the 5930-6080 cm⁻¹ region using CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy. 1888 transitions belonging to five bands have been assigned. Three of them are A-type bands: 2ν₂ + 5ν₃, ν₁ + ν₂ + 5ν₃ and 5ν₁ + ν₃, and two bands are of B-type: 2ν₁ + ν₂ + 4ν₃ and 4ν₁ + 3ν₂. Despite a complex spectral pattern perturbed by many rovibrational resonances, it has been possible to find a suitable effective Hamiltonian model reproducing all the transition wavenumbers (corresponding to 1016 energy levels) with an rms deviation of 9.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. A set of 721 line intensities was determined and fitted to derive the effective transition moment parameters. This set of parameters and the experimental energy levels were used to generate a complete line list of 2795 transitions allowing to generate synthetic spectrum in good agreement with the experimental spectrum.     

Diode laser absorption spectrum of cold bands of C2HD at 6500 cm

The absorption spectrum of acetylene-d has been observed at high resolution between 6470 and 6630 cm⁻¹ using an external cavity diode laser. Three cold bands have been observed: the strong 2ν₁ band, the weaker ν₁ + ν₂ + 2ν₅ band, and the (ν₁ + ν₃ + ν₅)¹ band, which gains its intensity through Coriolis resonance with 2ν₁. Centers of unblended lines are determined with an accuracy of approximately 10 MHz.     

Investigation on spectral features of tungsten ions in PbO-Bi2O3-As2O3 glass matrix

Lead bismuth arsenate glasses mixed with different concentrations of WO₃ (ranging from 0 to 6.0 mol%) were synthesized. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), optical absorption, ESR and IR spectral studies have been carried out. The results of DTA have indicated that there is a gradual decrease in the resistance of the glass against devitrification with increase in the concentration of WO₃ upto 4.0 mol%.The optical absorption spectra of these glasses exhibited a relatively broad band peaking at about 880 nm identified due to d_xy→d_x²_−y² transition of W⁵⁺ ions; this band is observed to be more intense in the spectrum of glass containing 4.0 mol% of WO₃. Further, two prominent kinks attributed to ³P₀→¹S₀, ¹D₂ transitions of Bi³⁺ ions have also been located in the absorption spectra. The ESR spectra of these glasses recorded at room temperature exhibited an asymmetric signal at g_⊥∼1.71 and g_ll∼1.61. The intensity of the signal is observed to be maximal for the spectrum of the glass W₄. The quantitative analysis of optical absorption and ESR spectral studies have indicated that there is a maximum reduction of tungsten ions from W⁶⁺ state to W⁵⁺ state in the glass containing 4.0 mol% of WO₃. The IR spectral studies have indicated that there is a increasing degree of disorder in the glass network with increase in the concentration of WO₃ upto 4.0 mol%.     

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.     

EPR and photoluminescence properties of green light emitting LaAl11O18:Mn phosphors

The LaAl₁₁O₁₈:Mn²⁺ powder phosphor has been prepared using a self-propagating synthesis. Formation and homogeneity of the LaAl₁₁O₁₈:Mn²⁺ phosphor has been verified by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis respectively. The EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ions exhibit resonance signals with effective g values at g≈4.8 and g≈1.978. The signal at g≈1.978 exhibits six-line hyperfine structure and is due to Mn²⁺ ions in an environment close to tetrahedral symmetry, whereas the resonance at g≈4.8 is attributed to the rhombic surroundings of the Mn²⁺ ions. It is observed that the number of spins participating in resonance for g≈1.978 increases with decreasing temperature obeying the Boltzmann law. Upon 451 nm excitation, the photoluminescence spectrum exhibits a green emission peak at 514 nm due to ⁴T₁ (G)→⁶A₁ (S) transition of Mn²⁺ ions. The crystal field parameter Dq and Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameters B and C have been evaluated from the excitation spectrum.     

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.     

D2O: ICLAS between 13 600 and 14 020 cm and normal mode labeling of the vibrational states

The high resolution absorption spectrum of dideuterated water, D₂¹⁶O, has been recorded by Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) in the 13 600-14 020 cm⁻¹ spectral region which is the highest energy region reported so far for this water isotopologue. Because the HD¹⁶O absorption is stronger by three orders of magnitude in the region under study, it was necessary to use high deuterium enrichment in order to minimize the HD¹⁶O absorption lines overlapping the D₂¹⁶O spectrum. With the high sensitivity achieved (noise equivalent absorption α_min ∼10⁻⁹ cm⁻¹), transitions with line strengths on the order of 5 × 10⁻²⁸ cm molecule⁻¹ could be detected. The spectrum analysis, based on recent variational calculations has provided a set of 177 new rovibrational energy levels belonging to six vibrational states.The most complete set of 53 vibrational energy levels of D₂¹⁶O, including the three newly determined band origins, was constructed from an exhaustive review of the literature data. The fitting of the parameters of the vibrational effective Hamiltonian has allowed to reproduce the whole set of vibrational energies with an rms deviation of 0.055 cm⁻¹. This simple model gave consistent vibrational labels of the D₂¹⁶O states up to 18 000 cm⁻¹. Above 15 000 cm⁻¹, Fermi and Darling-Dennison resonance interaction were found to induce strong vibrational mixings of the wave functions in the normal mode basis, leading to ambiguous vibrational labeling.     

Determination of the molecular dipole moment of bromofluoromethane: Microwave Stark spectra and ab initio calculations

The electric dipole moment of bromofluoromethane, CH₂⁷⁹BrF, has been determined with a good accuracy by observing the second order ΔM_J = 0 Stark spectrum of the J = 3_2,1 ← 3_1,2, J = 5_2,3 ← 5_1,4 and J = 5_2,4 ← 5_1,5 rotational transitions. In addition, the equilibrium geometry and dipole moment have been evaluated using highly accurate ab initio calculations. By comparing the experimental [μ_a = 0.3466(11) D and μ_b = 1.704(26) D] and theoretical [μ_a = −0.339 D and μ_b = −1.701 D] dipole moment components, a very good agreement has been found.     

Synthesis of Gd2Ti2O7:Eu, V phosphors by sol-gel process and its luminescent properties

A red-emitting phosphor material, Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺, V⁴⁺, by added vanadium ions is synthesized using the sol-gel method. Phosphor characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the phosphor possesses a good crystalline structure, while scanning electron microscopy reveals a uniform phosphor particle size in the range of 230-270 nm. X-ray photon electron spectrum analysis demonstrates that the V⁴⁺ ion promotes an electron dipole transition of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors, causing a new red-emitting phenomenon, and CIE value shifts to x=0.63, y=0.34 (a purer red region) from x=0.57, y=0.33 (CIE of Gd₂Ti₂O₇:Eu³⁺). The optimal composition of the novel red-emitting phosphor is about 26% of V⁴⁺ ions while the material is calcinated at 800  °C. The results of electroluminescent property of the material by field emission experiment by CNT-contained cathode agreed well with that of photoluminescent analysis.     

An automated branch-assignment algorithm for rovibrational spectra of asymmetric-top molecules

There are several methods for isolating a P, Q, or R branch from the rest of the unassigned rovibrational spectrum of an asymmetric-top molecule. But at the moment, to our knowledge, once the branch has been isolated, there is no automated procedure for its assignment. Here, we present a simple semi-empirical algorithm which has proved successful in computer experiments on both S(CN)₂ (a near prolate rotor) and C₃H₆O (a near oblate rotor.) The limits to the applicability of this method are discussed.