Analytical photoion spectroscopy applied to dissociative single and double photoionization of diatomic molecules (H2, N2, O2, CO,and NO)

This work reports the principle, advantage, and limitations of analytical photoion spectroscopy which has been applied to dissociative photoionization processes for diatomic molecules such as H₂, N₂, CO, and NO. Characteristic features observed in the differential photoion spectra are summarized with a focus on (pre)dissociation of(i) multielectron excitation states commonly observed in the inner valence regions,(ii) shape resonances, and(iii) doubly charged parent ions. Possible origins for negative peaks in the differential spectra are discussed. This spectroscopy is applied to the reported photoion branching ratios for D₂ (and H₂ at high energies). The main findings are as follows: (1) The direct dissociation of theX ²Σ _g ⁺ (1sσ _g ) state of D ₂ ⁺ , the two-electron excited state¹Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u 2sσ _g ) of D₂, and the²Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u ) state of D ₂ ⁺ appear clearly in the differential spectrum, as previously observed for H₂. (2) Decay of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) to H⁺ (D⁺) above 38 eV is due to the direct dissociation of highly excited states of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) such as the²Σ _g ⁺ (2sσ _g ) and high-lying Rydberg states converging on H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ). (3) In the ionization continuum of H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ) peculiar dissociation pathways are observed. The differential photoion spectra for O₂ derived from the reported photoion branching ratios are also presented. The (pre)dissociation of theb ⁴Σ _g ^? ,B ²Σ _g ^? , III²Π _u ,²Σ _u ^? , and^2,4Σ _g ^? states of O ₂ ⁺ appears as the corresponding positive values in the spectra in accord with previous observations. Some other dissociation pathways possibly contributing to the spectra are discussed including dissociative double ionization.     

Direct measurement of the N 2 + dissociation energy

The accuracy for the direct measurement of the dissociation energy of the N ₂ ⁺ B²Σ _u ⁺-state was significantly improved by using frequency doubled laser light, which enables the authors to excite from lowerv″-levels and additionally to calibrate the fundamental laser wavelength with an iodine cell. The obtained value is:D ₈(N ₂ ⁺ )=70248±6 cm^?1.     

High resolution spectroscopy of the 13Σ g + (b) ← 13Σ u + (x) transition of Na2

Rotational-vibrational transitions of the triplet system 1³Σ _g ⁺ ← 1³Σ _u ⁺ of the Na₂ molecule have been investigated around $\bar v = 13970 cm^{ - 1} $ by Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy in a heat pipe and by resonant two-step photoionization in a collimated cold argon beam, seeded with sodium vapor. The fine- and hyperfine structure of the transitions is partly resolved. The analysis of the measured spectra and a theoretical discussion of the expected multiplet structure yields the rotational constantsB′ _v (v′=17)=0.0866(4) cm^?1 for the upper andB″ _v (v″=0)=0.0533(4) cm^?1 for the lower state. The difference Δb=b(³Σ _u )?b(³Σ _g ) of the hyperfine coupling constantsb turns out to be Δb=80 MHz.     

Guided ion beam studies of the reactions of O+, O 2 + , N+ and N 2 + with silane

Guided ion beam mass spectrometry is used to measure the cross sections as a function of kinetic energy for reaction of SiH₄ with O⁺(⁴S), O ₂ ⁺ (²Π_g,v=0), N⁺(³P), and N ₂ ⁺ (²Σ _g ⁺ ,v=0). All four ions react with silane by dissociative charge-transfer to form SiH _m ⁺ (m=0?3), and all but N ₂ ⁺ also form SiXH _m ⁺ products where (m=0?3) andX=O, O₂ or N. The overall reactivity of the O⁺, O ₂ ⁺ , and N⁺ systems show little dependence on kinetic energy, but for the case of N ₂ ⁺ , the reaction probability and product distribution relies heavily on the kinetic energy of the system. The present results are compared with those previously reported for reactions of the rare gas ions with silane [13] and are discussed in terms of vertical ionization from the 1t ₂ and 3a ₁ bands of SiH₄. Thermal reaction rates are also provided and dicussed.     

Simulating the experimental vacuum ultraviolet radiation of rare-gases plasma

Experimental excimer continua emitted by electric discharge plasma of krypton and xenon were interpreted as the ¹ Σ _u ⁺ → ¹ Σ _g ⁺ bound-free transitions. The relative populations of the lower vibrational levels of the ¹ Σ _u ⁺ state were derived fitting experimental spectra with the theoretical ones.     

Stability of Au 2 2+ : metastability through an excited state?

We discuss the stability of doubly charged Auclusters. From a calculation using semi-empirical linear combination of atomic-orbitals (LCAO) method, we conclude that Au ₂ ²⁺ in an excited state (³Σ _u ⁺ or¹Σ _u ⁺ ) is metastable with an energy barrier of about 0.3 eV. In the ground state (¹Σ _g ⁺ ) Au ₂ ²⁺ is unstable, except for small values of Δ(=ε _s ?ε _d ) (difference between thes andd atomic energy levels of Au), when a very shallow minimum appears in the binding energy curve. These results are critically discussed and compared with those obtained by different calculations.     

Towards understanding the stability of the H*4 (C3v ) cluster

As a first attempt to study the stability of the H*₄ (C_3v ) cluster we have used the MRD-CI method and a medium size basis set to calculate various sections of the potential energy surfaces of its ground and first excited states. We show that these correlate to the (X ¹Σ _g ¹ X ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) and (X ¹Σ _g ⁺ B ¹Σ _u ⁺ ) states of the two H₂ constituents respectively. Finally, we report on the calculation of the diabatic matrix elements of the vibronic interaction in the region of the avoided crossing which is crucial to the stability of H ₄ ⁺ .     

Quasi-resonant energy transfer in collisions: Na2(A1Σ u + )+K(4S)

Cross sections for electron energy transfer from the initial rotational stateJ′of the two lowest vibrational levelsv′=0 andv′=1 of excited dimers Na₂(A) to potassium atoms as described by Na₂(A¹Σ _u ⁺ ,v′J′)+K(4S)→Na₂ (X¹Σ _g ⁺ ,v″J″)+K(4P)+ΔE have been examined by laser-induced fluorescence. A strong increase of the cross section by as much as an order of magnitude has been observed for those dimerv′J′-levels for which the dipole transitions are close to resonance of the 4S-4P transitions in the atom (ΔE<4 cm^?1). The absolute cross sections for energy transfer have been calculated by the Rabitz approximation of first-order perturbation theory. In the case of closest energy resonance (ΔE=0.9 cm^?1) the cross section is Q=7.8×10^?13 cm².     

The nature of molecular oxygen binding and activation in Mn-O2 complex

Non-empirical calculations of CASSCF energies, electric dipole moments, Einstein coefficients, matrix elements of the operator of spin-orbital interaction between states of different multiplicity in a model complex ^6,8[Mn-O₂] of C _2v symmetry have been made in 3-21G, 6-31G, 6-31G** basis sets. The crosssections of the potential energy surface (PES) of the ground and excited states were built. It is found that oxygen bonding to manganese is possible when excited atoms of manganese collide with molecular oxygen, singlet oxygen with Mn[⁶ S _5/2] atoms, or in a close contact O₂[X³Σ _g ^? ] + Mn[⁶ S _5/2] and is determined by charge transfer states ^6,8CTS(Mn⁺O ₂ ^? ). Mechanisms of singlet oxygen activation/deactivation are determined by a considerably increased probability of electric dipole transitions b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ?a ¹Δ_g, a ¹Δ_g?X³Σ _g ^? , b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ?X³Σ _g ^? induced in oxygen in the collision process.     

Ab initio calculation of the vertical excitation energies of small helium cluster ions

Quantum chemical ab initio calculations have been performed for the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of all low-lying electronically excited states of small helium cluster ions, He _n ⁺ ,n=2, ..., 7. The geometrical structures of the ions were fixed at the equilibrium geometries of the respective ground states, for He ₄ ⁺ and He ₅ ⁺ also one alternative structure was considered. The low-lying excited states can be classified into two categories: the electronic transition can occur either within the central He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ unit or from the peripheral weakly bound He atoms to this unit. The latter transitions are very weak (f≈0.001), closely spaced, with vertical excitation energies of about 5.7 eV. The He ₂ ⁺ and He ₃ ⁺ units have strong transitions at 9.93 and 5.55 eV, respectively; these transitions are only slightly blue-shifted if He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ are placed as “chromophores” into the centre of a larger He _n ⁺ cluster. The large difference in the vertical excitation energy of the strong transition should enable an experimental decision of the question whether the cluster ions have He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ cores.     

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 ⁺ .     

Photofragmentation of cluster ions: the visible photoabsorption spectrum of Ar2N 2 +

The absolute cross section for photodissociation of Ar₂N ₂ ⁺ was measured as a function of wavelength in the 470–550 nm range. A structureless broad band was observed; the cross section has a maximum of ～ 210 × 10^?18 cm² at ～ 500 nm. The measurement of the photofragment time-of-flight spectrum shows that(1) N ₂ ⁺ , Ar⁺ and Ar ₂ ⁺ are produced in the photodissociation of Ar₂N ₂ ⁺ in the wavelength range studied, and that(2) the observed visible absorption band is ascribable to a parallel-type transition of Ar₂N ₂ ⁺ , which possibly retains a linear geometry.     

Spectroscopic properties of the Ar 2 * (5p) excimer states

The transitions between Ar ₂ ^* (5p) and Ar ₂ ^* (4sΣ _u) have been investigated by absorption spectrometry. The fine structure of the Ar ₂ ^* (5p ³ Π _g) was attributed to a predominantly Hund’s case a coupling. A spin orbit coupling constant of A = (9.8±0.3) cm^-1 results. Absorption by the singlet system allows one to determine the triplet/singlet splitting between the Ar ₂ ^* (4s Σ _u) states to be (540 ± 100) cm^-1. The transition probabilities of the Ar ₂ ^* (5p) and Ar ₂ ^* (6p) levels were determined by saturation spectrometry yielding values between (0.2–2.5) · 10⁶ s^-1.     

Adiabatic channel study of the capture of nitrogen and oxygen molecules by an ion: effect of nuclear symmetry and spin-spin interaction

Within the adiabatic channel treatment of ionmolecule capture we have calculated the low temperature capture rate constants of N₂(¹Σ _g ⁺ ) and O₂(³Σ _g ^? )in collisions with positive and negative ions. In both cases, the charge-quadrupole and the anisotropic charge-induced dipole interactions produce noticeable deviations from the Langevin rate constant. The rate constants calculated with account for the anisotropic interaction, in addition, are substantially affected by nuclear symmetry; in the case of O₂(³Σ _g ^? ), the fine-structure spin-spin interaction strongly manifests itself in the rate constants.     

High resolution photofragment spectroscopy of the gas phase methyl iodide ion

Photodissociation spectra of the molecular ion CH₃I⁺ were obtained with a three stage quadrupole mass spectrometer. Starting from the \(\tilde X^2 E_{3/2} \) ground state, theà ² E _1/2 state was excited with a stilbene 3 cw dye laser. This state predissociates to CH ₊ ³ +I. Measuring the intensity of the CH ₊ ³ fragment ions as a function of the wavelength of the exciting laser, a spectrum showing vibrational and rotational structure was obtained. The vibrational structure was assigned to three progressions ofv ₃ and new vibrational frequencies were determined. From a computer simulation of the (0, 1, 10) band rotational constants were derived. In particular, their dependence on the vibrationv ₃ was studied.     

Coherence and correlation parameters for thed 3 Π u − (v=0,1,2,3;N=1) states of H2

We have applied the density matrix formalism and the distorted-wave approximation to calculate the Stokes parameters for thed ³ Π _u ^? (v=0,1,2,3;N=1) states of H₂ excited from the X¹ ∑ _g ⁺ (v=0,N=1) state by electron impact at the incident energies ranging from 15 to 40 eV. Our results show that these parameters are nearly independent of the vibrational quantum number of the excited states. However, the polarization of the radiation emitted by the target in the subsequent decay process increases with increasing incident energies.     

Rydberg states of the K2 molecule studied by laser spectroscopy in a supersonic beam

Rydberg states of potassium dimer have been studied in a crossed laser-molecular beam experiment. The K₂ molecules were formed in a supersonic expansion and excited by low-power cw dye laser. Two different excitation schemes have been used: The first scheme uses a single mode ring dye laser to induce near resonant two-photon transitions while in the second scheme stepwise excitation with two dye lasers is used. In each case excitation of Rydberg levels was detected by monitoring the ionization signal resulting from three-photon absorption. We report a detailed study of 700 two-photon resonances between 625 nm and 650 nm. Most of these signals can be assigned to transitions from the X¹σ _g ⁺ to¹σ _g ⁺ ,¹Π _g , and^1Δ _g states, which are all enhanced by the B¹Π _u intermediate state. Accurate rotational constants are given for the populated vibrational levels of these states. By stepwise excitation of Rydberg levels via theB ¹Π _u state we identify 3 series of Rydberg states as¹Δ _g (4S+nD),¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nD), and¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nS) with principal quantum numbers 7≦n≦20. Molecular constants of these and other observed but as yet unidentified states are given; quantum defects and dissociation energies are discussed.     

Calculated vibrational structure of the first band of the photoelectron spectrum of HO 2 − and the electron affinity of HO2

The vibrational structure of the first band of the photoelectron (PE) spectrum of HO ₂ ^? and DO ₂ ^? has been calculated on the basis of (slightly modified) ab initio potentials. The best agreement with the experimental spectrum of HO ₂ ^? is obtained for a vibrational temperature of ca. 600 K. “Peak D”, which has been under debate in earlier work, is composed of two transitions, with the “hot” transition 3 ₁ ¹ being more intense than the adiabatic transition. Since thev ₂ bending mode of DO₂ has significant OO stretching character, the vibrational structure of the PE spectrum of DO ₂ ^? is more complex than that of HO ₂ ^? . Large-scale RCCSD(T) calculations of the equilibrium electron affinity of HO₂ yield 1.058 eV which agrees with the experimental value of 1.044 ± 0.020 eV.     

Fragmentation of doubly charged noble metal clusters

The dissociation patterns of doubly charged noble metal clusters (M) _n ⁺⁺ to two singly charged clusters, (M) _m ^Emphasis>1/+ and (M) _m ^Emphasis>2/+ have been investigated using a double focusing mass spectrometer. They are compared with the dissociation patterns from singly charged clusters. The dissociation probabilities to (M) ₃ ⁺ and (M) ₉ ⁺ were large and the odd-even alternations were observed in both patterns.