Experimental evidence for the curve crossing mechanism for collisional excitation in keV N2+*/He collisions by emission spectroscopy

Collision-induced emission (CIE) experiments were carried out by coupling a spectrograph and charge-coupled device detector (CCD) to a commercial analytical mass spectrometer. An Einzel lens and a deceleration-reacceleration lens assembly as described in the current article were installed in the mass spectrometer to allow for the deceleration of the ions before collision. Collision-induced emission spectra of N2+*/He collisions at lab frame collision energies from 2 to 8 keV were obtained from 190-1020 nm. The emissions were assigned to the Deltav=+2, +1, 0, -1, -2 vibrational transition progression in the N2+* B 2Sigmau+-->X 2Sigmag+ electronic transition as well as some atomic lines from the fragments N+, N* and the target gas He. N2+* A 2u-->X 2Sigmag+ emission was also observed but was very weak due to the long lifetime of the A 2u state. The relative intensities of the N2+*, N, and N+ emissions are independent of the ion translational energy within the studied energy range. This observation supports the curve-crossing mechanism for collisional excitation, suggesting that a complicated sequence of curve-crossings takes place upon collisional activation.     

Pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectroscopy of metastable He2: Ionization potential and rovibrational structure of He2+

A supersonic beam of metastable He(*) atoms and He(2) (*) a (3)Sigma(u) (+) molecules has been generated using a pulsed discharge at the exit of a pulsed valve prior to the gas expansion into vacuum. Pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectra of the He(2) (+) X(+) (2)Sigma(u) (+) (v(+)=0-2)<--He(2) (*) a (3)Sigma(u) (+) (v(")=0-2) transitions and photoionization spectra of He(2) (*) in the vicinity of the lowest ionization thresholds have been recorded. The energy level structures of (4)He(2) (+) X(+) (2)Sigma(u) (+) (v(+)< or =2,N(+)< or =23) and (3)He(2) (+) X(+) (2)Sigma(u) (+) (v(+)=0,N(+)< or =11) have been determined, and an accurate set of molecular constants for all isotopomers of He(2) (+) has been derived in a global analysis of all spectroscopic data reported to date on the low vibrational levels of He(2) (+). The analysis of the photoionization spectrum by multichannel quantum defect theory has provided a set of parameters describing the threshold photoionization dynamics.     

Steric effect in the energy transfer reaction of N2 + Rg (3P2) (Rg = Kr, Ar)

Steric effect for the formation of N 2 (B, (3)Pi u ) in the energy transfer reaction of Kr ( (3)P 2) + N 2 has been measured using an oriented Kr ( (3)P 2, M J = 2) beam at a collision energy of 0.07 eV. The N 2 (B, (3)Pi u ) emission intensity was measured as a function of the magnetic orientation field direction in the collision frame. A significant atomic alignment effect on the energy transfer probability was observed. This result was compared with that for the formation of N 2 (C, (3)Pi g ) in the Ar ( (3)P 2) + N 2 reaction. Despite the large difference on the energy transfer cross-section, the atomic alignment dependence for Kr ( (3)P 2) + N 2 is found to be analogous to that for Ar ( (3)P 2) + N 2. It is revealed that the configuration of inner 4p (3p) orbital in the collision frame gives an important role for the stereoselectivity on electron transfer process via the curve-crossing mechanism.     

Efficiencies of state and velocity-changing collisions of superthermal CN A(2)Pi with He, Ar, N(2) and O(2)

Polarized laser photolysis of ICN is combined with saturated optical pumping to prepare state-selected CN Alpha(2)Pi (nu' = 4, J = 0.5, F(2), f) with a well-defined anisotropic superthermal speed distribution. The collisional evolution of the prepared state is observed by Doppler-resolved Frequency Modulated (FM) spectroscopy via stimulated emission on the CN Alpha(2)Pi-Chi(2)Sigma(+) (4,2) band. The phenomenological rate constants for removal of the prepared state in collisions with He, Ar, N(2) and O(2) are reported. The observed collision cross-sections are consistent with attractive forces contributing significantly for all the colliders with the exception of He. The collisional evolution of the prepared velocity distribution demonstrates that no significant back-transfer into the prepared level occurs, and that any elastic scattering is strongly in the forward hemisphere.     

Investigation of spatially resolved spectra of OH and N2+ in N2 and H2O mixture wire-plate positive pulsed streamer discharge

Optical emission spectroscopy has been applied to study the spatially resolved measurements of the emission intensities of OH (A(2)Sigma-->X(2)Pi, 0-0) and N(2)(+) (B(2)Sigma(u)(+)-->X(2)Sigma(g)(+), 0-0, 391.4 nm) produced by a high-voltage positive pulsed streamer discharge consisting of a gas mixture of N(2) and H(2)O in a wire-plate reactor under severe electromagnetic interference at atmospheric pressure. The effects of pulse peak voltage, pulse repetition rate, and the added O(2) flow rate on the spatial distributions of the emission intensity of OH (A(2)Sigma-->X(2)Pi, 0-0) and N(2)(+) (B(2)Sigma(u)(+)-->X(2)Sigma(g)(+), 0-0, 391.4 nm) in the lengthwise direction (direction from wire to plate) are investigated. It has been found that the emission intensities of OH (A(2)Sigma-->X(2)Pi, 0-0) and N(2)(+) (B(2)Sigma(u)(+)-->X(2)Sigma(g)(+), 0-0, 391.4 nm) rise with an increase in both pulse peak voltage and pulse repetition rate and decrease with an increase in oxygen flows added in an N(2) and H(2)O gas mixture. The emission intensity of OH (A(2)Sigma-->X(2)Pi, 0-0) decreases with increasing the distance from the wire electrode. The emission intensity of N(2)(+) (B(2)Sigma(u)(+)-->X(2)Sigma(g)(+), 0-0, 391.4 nm) is nearly constant at 0-4mm from wire electrode, and sharply increases near the ground electrode. The vibrational temperature of N(2) (C) increases with increasing O(2) flows and keeps almost constant in the lengthwise direction under the present experimental conditions. The main physicochemical processes involved are also discussed in this paper.     

Luminescence measurements of Xe(+) + N2 and Xe(2+) + N2 hyperthermal charge transfer collisions

Luminescence spectra are recorded for collisions between Xe(+)/Xe(2+) and molecular nitrogen at energies ranging from 4.5 to 316 eV in the center-of-mass frame. In the Xe(+) + N(2) collision system, evidence for luminescent charge-transfer products is only found through Xe I emission lines. The most intense features of the luminescence spectra are attributed to atomic N emissions observed above ～20 eV. Intense N(2)(+) A (2)Π(u) - X(2)Σ(g)(+) and B(2)Σ(u)(+) - X(2)Σ(g)(+) radiance is observed from Xe(2+) + N(2) collisions. The B state formation cross section decreases with collision energy until 20 eV, after which it becomes independent of impact energy with an approximate value of 3 ?(2). The cross section for N(2) (+) A (ν > 0) formation increases with energy until 20 eV, after which it remains nearly constant at ～1 ?(2). The N(2)(+) product vibrational distributions extracted from the spectra are non-Franck-Condon for both electronic product states at low collision energies. The distributions resemble a Franck-Condon distribution at the highest energies investigated in this work.     

Vibrational and rotational energy transfers involving the CH B 2Sigma(-) v=1 vibrational level in collisions with Ar, CO, and N2O

With photolysis-probe technique, we have studied vibrational and rotational energy transfers of CH involving the B (2)Sigma(-) (v=1, 0F(1) transitions are larger than the reverse F(1)-->F(2) transitions in DeltaN=0 for the Ar and CO collisions. The trend of fine-structure conservation is along the order of N(2)O相似文献   

Frequency modulated spectroscopy as a probe of molecular collision dynamics

We describe the application of frequency modulated spectroscopy (FMS) with an external cavity tuneable diode laser to the study of the scalar and vector properties of inelastic collisions. CN X(2)Sigma(+) radicals are produced by polarized photodissociation of ICN at 266 nm, with a sharp velocity and rotational angular momentum distribution. The collisional evolution of the distribution is observed via sub-Doppler FMS on the A(2)Pi-X(2)Sigma(+) (2,0) band. He, Ar, N(2), O(2) and CO(2) were studied as collider gases. Doppler profiles were acquired in different experimental geometries of photolysis and probe laser propagation and polarization, and on different spectroscopic branches. These were combined to give composite Doppler profiles from which the speed distributions and specific speed-dependent vector correlations could be determined. The angular scattering dynamics with species other than He are found to be very similar, dominated by backward scattering which accompanies transfer of energy between rotation and translation. The kinematics of collisions with He are not conducive to the determination of differential scattering and angular momentum polarization correlations. Angular momentum correlations show interesting differences between reactive and non-reactive colliders. We propose that this reflects differences in the potential energy surfaces, in particular, the nature and depth of attractive potential wells.     

Emission spectroscopic studies of Grimm-type glow discharge plasma with argon-helium gas mixtures

The effect of argon/helium pressure ratios on the emission intensity of various Ar II lines is investigated for a Grimm-type glow discharge radiation source, operated with Ar-He mixtures. The relative intensities of the Ar II lines are altered significantly by mixing helium with argon. It is found that the population of the Ar⁺ excited states can be redistributed through He-Ar collisional energy transfer. The energy level of the He singlet metastable state (¹S₀,20.62 eV) is very important for these processes. If the excitation energy of Ar II lines is higher than that of the He singlet metastable, strong quenching of the Ar II line intensity is observed. However, when the excitation energy is slightly lower, some of the Ar II lines are enhanced by adding helium to the argon plasma. Energy exchanges between the Ar⁺ doublet term states and the He singlet metastable are favoured because the total spin remains unchanged before and after the He-Ar collisions. Furthermore, the helium mixing also exerts a great influence on the emission intensities of the elements sputtered from the cathode of the discharge lamp. The enhancement of Al I and Al II emission intensities at suitable Ar-He mixture ratios is discussed for when aluminum is employed as a cathode material.     

New Rydberg-Rydberg transitions in N2. Identification of the d3 1Sigmag+ state

Use of a special Penning-ionization source allowed Fourier-transform recording of two previously nonobserved IR emission bands spectra at 5480 and 7630 cm(-1) arising from neutral N(2). The first of these bands is the c(4) (') (1)Sigma(u) (+)-a(") (1)Sigma(g) (+) (0,0) transition, both states involved being previously known by direct vacuum (UV) absorption spectroscopy. The second band corresponds to a d(3) (1)Sigma(g) (+)-c(4) (') (1)Sigma(u) (+) (0,0) transition, in which the upper level belongs to an up to now unidentified Rydberg state. Both the upper and lower levels are perturbed by neighboring valence state levels.     

Inelastic scattering of OH(X2Pi) with Ar and He: a combined polarization spectroscopy and quantum scattering study

One-colour polarization spectroscopy (PS) on the OH A (2)Sigma(+)- X (2)Pi(0,0) band has been used to measure the removal of bulk rotational angular momentum alignment of ground-state OH(X (2)Pi) in collisions with He and Ar. Pseudo-first-order PS signal decays at different collider partial pressures were used to determine second-order decay rate constants for the X (2)Pi(3/2), J = 1.5-6.5, e states. The PS signal decay rate constant, k(PS), is sensitive to all processes that remove population and destroy polarization. The contribution to k(PS) from pure (elastic) alignment depolarization within the initial level, k(DEP), can be extracted by subtracting the independently measured or predicted sum of the rate constants for total rotational energy transfer (RET), k(RET), and for Lambda-doublet changing, k(Lambda), collisions from k(PS). Literature values of k(RET) and k(Lambda) are available from experiments with He and Ar, and from quantum scattering calculations for Ar only. We therefore also present the results of new, exact, fully quantum mechanical calculations of k(RET) and k(Lambda) on the most recent ab initio OH(X)-He potential energy surface of Lee et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 2000, 113, 5736]. The results for k(DEP) from this subtraction for He are found to be modest, around 0.4 x 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1), whereas for Ar k(DEP) is found to range between 0.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) and 1.7 +/- 0.3 x 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1), comparable to total population removal rate constants. The differences between k(DEP) for the two colliders are most likely explained by the presence of a substantially deeper attractive well for Ar than for He. The measurement of k(DEP) may provide a useful new tool that is more sensitive to the form of the long-range part of the intermolecular potential than rotational state-changing collisions.     

Velocity map imaging of ion-molecule reactive scattering: the Ar(+)+ N(2) charge transfer reaction

We present a velocity map imaging spectrometer for the study of crossed-beam reactive collisions between ions and neutrals at (sub-)electronvolt collision energies. The charge transfer reaction of Ar(+) with N(2) is studied at 0.6, 0.8 and 2.5 eV relative collision energies. Energy and angular distributions are measured for the reaction product N. The differential cross section, as analyzed with a Monte Carlo reconstruction algorithm, shows significant large angle scattering for lower collision energies in qualitative agreement with previous experiments. Significant vibrational excitation of N(+)(2) is also observed. This theoretically still unexplained feature indicates the presence of a low energy scattering resonance.     

The 39K(2) 2(3)Sigma(g)+ state: observation and analysis

The (39)K(2) 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) state has been observed by perturbation-facilitated infrared-infrared double resonance spectroscopy and two-photon excitation. Resolved fluorescence spectra into the a (3)Sigma(u) (+) state have been recorded. The observed vibrational levels have been assigned as the v=23-25, 27, 28, 31-33, 38-45, 47, and 53 levels by comparing the observed and calculated spectra of the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+)-->a (3)Sigma(u) (+) transitions. Molecular constants have been obtained using a global fitting procedure with a comprehensive set of experimental data. Fine and hyperfine splittings have been resolved in the excitation spectra. Perturbations between the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) and 2 (3)Pi(g) states were observed. The hyperfine patterns of the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) levels are strongly affected by the perturbation. The perturbation-free and weakly perturbed levels follow the case b(betaS) coupling scheme, while the perturbed levels follow case b(beta J) coupling. A Fermi contact constant, b(F)=65+/-10 MHz, has been obtained. Intensity anomalies of rotational lines appeared both in the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) approximately 2 (3)Pi(g)<--b (3)Pi(u) excitation spectra and in the 2 (3)Sigma(g) (+) approximately 2 (3)Pi(g)-->a (3)Sigma(u) (+) resolved fluorescence spectra. These intensity anomalies can be explained in terms of a quantum-mechanical interference effect.     

Confirmation of the "long-lived" tetra-nitrogen (N4) molecule using neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations

Tetra-nitrogen (N(4)), which has been the subject of recent controversy [Cacace, d. Petris, and Troiani, Science 295, 480 (2002); Cacace, Chem. Eur. J. 8, 3839 (2002); Nguyen et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 107, 5452 (2003); Nguyen, Coord. Chem. Rev. 244, 93 (2003)] as well as of great theoretical interest, has been prepared from the N(4) (+) cation and then detected as a reionized gaseous metastable molecule with a lifetime exceeding 0.8 micros in experiments based on neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. Moreover, we have used the nature of the charge-transfer reaction which occurs between a beam of fast N(4) (+) ions (8 keV translational energy) and various stationary gas targets to identify the vertical neutralization energy of the N(4) (+) ion. The measured value, 10.3+/-0.5, most closely matches that of the lowest energy azidonitrene (4)N(4) (+)C(s)((4)A(')) ion, resulting in the formation of the neutral bound azidonitrene (3)N(4)C(s)((3)A(")). Neutralization of the global minimum (2)N(4) (+)D( infinity h)((2)Sigma(u) (+)) ion leads to a structure 166 kJ mol(-1) above the dissociation products [N(2)((1)Sigma(g) (+))+N(2)((1)Sigma(g) (+))]; moreover, it was not possible to find a minimum on the (1)N(4) neutral potential energy surface for a covalently bonded structure. Ab initio calculations at the G3, QCISD/6-31G(d), and MP2/AUG-cc-pVTZ levels of theory have been used to determine geometries and both vertical neutralization energies of ions (doublet and quartet) and ionization energies of neutrals (singlet and triplet). In addition, we have also described in detail the EI ion source for the Ottawa VG ZAB mass spectrometer [Holmes and Mayer, J. Phys. Chem. A 99, 1366 (1995)] which was modified for high-pressure use, i.e., for the production of dimer and higher number cluster ions.     

Orientation and alignment of Mg+ (3p) states excited in 1–60 keV collisions with He and Ar

The orientation and alignment of Mg⁺ (3p) states created in 1–60 keV Mg⁺ (3s)-He, Ar collisions have been studied by the polarized photon-scattered particle coincidence technique at scattering angles corresponding to impact-parameter ranges of 0.5–1.0 a.u. (He) and 1.2–2.0 a.u. (Ar). Referring to the standard geometry, in the region of maximum excitation probability (～ 35 keV), a strong propensity for population of the Mg⁺ (3p _?1) state is observed. The propensity breaks down when going towards lower energies, and for collisions with He even a transient reversal of the angular momentum occurs. The alignment angle varies little in the entire range of impact parameters and energies investigated. These observations compare well with recent general predictions of Andersen and Nielsen.     

Fluorescence excitation spectra of the b (1)Pi(u), b(') (1)Sigma(u) (+), c(n) (1)Pi(u), and c(n) (') (1)Sigma(u) (+) states of N(2) in the 80-100 nm region

Fluorescence excitation spectra produced through photoexcitation of N(2) using synchrotron radiation in the spectral region between 80 and 100 nm have been studied. Two broadband detectors were employed to simultaneously monitor fluorescence in the 115-320 nm and 300-700 nm regions, respectively. The peaks in the vacuum ultraviolet fluorescence excitation spectra are found to correspond to excitation of absorption transitions from the ground electronic state to the b (1)Pi(u), b(') (1)Sigma(u) (+), c(n) (1)Pi(u) (with n=4-8), c(n) (') (1)Sigma(u) (+) (with n=5-9), and c(4) (')(v('))(1)Sigma(u) (+) (with v(')=0-8) states of N(2). The relative fluorescence production cross sections for the observed peaks are determined. No fluorescence has been produced through excitation of the most dominating absorption features of the b-X transition except for the (1,0), (5,0), (6,0), and (7,0) bands, in excellent agreement with recent lifetime measurements and theoretical calculations. Fluorescence peaks, which correlate with the long vibrational progressions of the c(4) (') (1)Sigma(u) (+) (with v(')=0-8) and the b(') (1)Sigma(u) (+) (with v(') up to 19), have been observed. The present results provide important information for further unraveling of complicated and intriguing interactions among the excited electronic states of N(2). Furthermore, solar photon excitation of N(2) leading to the production of c(4) (')(0) may provide useful data required for evaluating and analyzing dayglow models relevant to the interpretation of c(4) (')(0) in the atmospheres of Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Titan, and Triton.     

Channel switching effect in photodissociating N2O+ ion at 312.5 nm

A experimental observation is presented on the N2O+ photodissociation process, which exhibits a complete channel switching effect in a narrow energy range. The N2O+ ions, prepared at the X2Pi (000) state by (3+1) multiphoton ionization of neutral N2O molecules at 360.6 nm, were excited to different vibrational levels in the A2Sigma+ state in a wavelength range of 275-328 nm. Based on the estimates of total released kinetic energies from the time-of-flight mass spectrum, it was found that the dissociation pathway of N2O+ (A2Sigma+), NO+ (X1Sigma+) + N(4S) with lower dissociation limit, changes abruptly and completely to NO+ (X1Sigma+) + N(2D) with higher dissociation limit, in a excitation energy range of merely 250 cm(-1) at lambda approximately 312.5 nm. This phenomenon was explained by competition between the two dissociation pathways across the special excitation energy region.     

Photodissociation channels for N2O near 130 nm studied by product imaging

The photodissociation of N(2)O at wavelengths near 130 nm has been investigated by velocity-mapped product imaging. In all, five dissociation channels have been detected, leading to the following products: O((1)S)+N(2)(X (1)Sigma), N((2)D)+NO(X (2)Pi), N((2)P)+NO(X (2)Pi), O((3)P) + N(2)(A (3)Sigma(+) (u)), and O((3)P) + N(2)(B (3)Pi(g)). The most significant channel is to the products O((1)S) + N(2)(X(1)Sigma), with strong vibrational excitation in the N(2). The O((3)P) + N(2)(A,B):N((2)D,(2)P) + NO branching ratio is measured to be 1.4 +/- 0.5, while the N(2)(A) + O((3)P(J)):N(2)(B) + O((3)P(J)) branching ratio is determined to be 0.84+/-0.09. The spin-orbit distributions for the O((3)P(J)), N((2)P(J)), and N((2)D(J)) products were also determined. The angular distributions of the products are in qualitative agreement with excitation to the N(2)O(D (1)Sigma(+)) state, with participation as well by the (3)Pi(v) state.     

A new mechanism for the production of highly vibrationally excited OH in the mesosphere: an ab initio study of the reactions of O2(A 3Sigmau+ and A' 3Deltau)+H

In an attempt to explain the observed nightglow emission from OH(v=10) in the mesosphere that has the energy greater than the exothermicity of the H+O(3) reaction, potential energy surfaces were calculated for reactions of high lying electronic states of O(2)(A (3)Sigma(u) (+) and A' (3)Delta(u)) with atomic hydrogen H((2)S) to produce the ground state products OH((2)Pi)+O((3)P). From collinear two-dimensional scans, several adiabatic and nonadiabatic pathways have been identified. Multiconfigurational single and double excitation configuration interaction calculations show that the adiabatic pathways on a (4)Delta potential surface from O(2)(A' (3)Delta)+H and a (4)Sigma(+) potential surface from O(2)(A (3)Sigma(u) (+))+H are the most favorable, with the zero-point corrected barrier heights of as low as 0.191 and 0.182 eV, respectively, and the reactions are fast. The transition states for these pathways are collinear and early, and the reaction coordinate suggests that the potential energy release of ca. 3.8 eV (larger than the energy required to excite OH to v=10) is likely to favor high vibrational excitation.     

Collision-partner dependence of energy transfer between the CH A2Delta and B2Sigma- states

We have investigated experimentally the collision-induced electronic energy transfer between the CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-) states with the series of partners He, Ar, H(2), N(2), CO, and CO(2). Single rovibronic states of either of the near-degenerate levels A(2)Delta, v = 1, or B(2)Sigma(-), v = 0, were prepared by laser excitation. Collisional transfer processes were monitored by detecting dispersed, time-resolved fluorescence from the initial and product states. The microscopic rate constants for vibronically resolved transfer between the A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-) states, vibrational relaxation within the A state, and total removal to unobserved final products were determined for each partner. In line with previous work, we find that only CO and H(2) are efficient at total removal of CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-), most probably through chemical reaction. CO(2) is notably effective at A(2)Delta state vibrational relaxation, possibly through resonant vibrational energy transfer. All the partners cause transfer between CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-). An important new observation is that their efficiencies are well correlated with the strength of long-range attractive forces, as revealed through a positive correlation of the Parmenter-Seaver type. The vibronic branching to A(2)Delta, v = 0 and 1 from B(2)Sigma(-), v = 0 is found to be significantly collision-partner-dependent and not well predicted by energy gap scaling laws. We do not find any enhanced effectiveness in B(2)Sigma(-) to A(2)Delta coupling for those partners which form strongly bound intermediates, suggesting that this specific electronic channel is controlled by different regions of the potential energy surfaces.