Radiative lifetimes of the B1Π state of LiH and LiD

The lifetimes of the B¹Π vibrational levels of LiH and LiD were measured in a molecular beam apparatus using the method of delayed coincidences. The results for LiH are: τ(υ′ = 0) = 11.4 ns, τ(υ′ = 1) = 17.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 2) = 24 ns and for LiD τ(υ′ = 0) = 11.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 1) = 14.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 2) = 21 ns. These values are in good agreement with theoretical calculations. Three new brans of the A-X system were identified.     

Vibrational relaxation and quenching of CO(A1Π, ν = 0–8) in collisions with rare gas atoms

Steady state fluorescence experiments yielded effective cross sections for the vibrational relaxation and quenching in collisions of electronically excited CO molecules, in single vibrational levels ν = 0 to 8 of the A¹Π state, with rare gas atoms. Vibrational relaxation was found to proceed not only by Δν = 1 but also by Δν = 2 and Δν = 3 processes. The relaxation cross sections for the Δν = 1 processes decrease with increasing vibrational quantum number ν. The quenching data give strong evidence for collision induced intersystem crossing to nearby triplet states.     

Time-resolved photoelectron studies of the relaxation of the S1(1E′') excited state of sym-triazine

We present photoelectron spectra of the lowest singlet state (¹E′') of sym-triazine obtained with 2 ns and 5 ps excitation sources. Comparisons of picosecond and nanosecond spectra are made at three wavelengths, corresponding to the 6₀¹, 6₀² and the 6₀¹12₀¹ vibrational levels. The spectra show that rapid (</ 5 ps) relaxation to the lowest triplet state occurs subsequent to singlet excitation. Coupling of S₁ levels to the T₁ manifold is very inhomogeneous with intersystem crossing rates ranging from 10⁷ s⁻¹ to > 10¹¹ s⁻¹. Furthermore, for excitation at the 6₀¹12₀¹ level we find evidence for relaxation to another excited state at rates ⩾ 10¹¹ s⁻¹.     

Intramolecular photoexcitation dynamics and magnetic field effects in an intermediate-case molecule

Molecular vibration and rotation play a significant role in the intramolecular photoexcitation dynamics of the so-called intermediate-case molecule, and the fluorescence intensity, decay and polarization of s-triazine vapor are shown to depend on the excited rovibronic level of the S₁ state. Fluorescence characteristics are interpreted by assuming three zero-order states: (1) a zero-order singlet state that carries the absorption intensity and emits fluorescence with sharp structure; (2) zero-order singlet states that do not carry the absorption intensity but emit broad fluorescence; and (3) zero-order triplet states. The interaction among these states depends not only on the vibrational level but also on the rotational level excited. It is suggested that the number of triplet states coupled to the singlet state increases with increasing excess vibrational energy. It is also suggested that K-scrambling occurs both in the triplet manifold following intersystem crossing (ISC) and in the singlet manifold following intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR). The fluorescence intensity and decay of s-triazine vapor are significantly influenced by a magnetic field, and the field effects are interpreted in terms of the spin decoupling in the triplet manifold following ISC; the role of external magnetic fields is to mix the spin sublevels of different rovibronic levels coupled to the excited singlet state. Magnetic depolarization of fluorescence also occurs because of the efficient interaction between the excited singlet state and the triplet state.     

Electronic and Vibrational Coherence Dynamics in a Cyanine Dye Studied Using a Few‐Cycle Pulsed Laser

We report the relaxation times of electronic and vibrational coherence in the cyanine dye 1,1′,3,3,3′,3′‐hexamethyl‐4,4′,5,5′‐dibenzo‐2,2′‐indotricarbocyanine, measured using a 7.1 fs pulsed laser. The vibrational phase relaxation times are found to be between 380 and 680 fs in the ground and lowest excited singlet states. The vibrational dephasing times of the 294, 446, and 736 cm^?1 modes are relatively long among the six modes associated with excited‐state wave packets. The slower relaxations are explained in terms of a coupled triplet of vibrational modes, which preserves coherence by forming a tightly bound group to satisfy the condition of circa conservation of vibrational energy. Using data from the negative‐time range (i.e., when the probe pulse precedes the pump pulse), the electronic phase relaxation time is found to be 31±1 fs. The dynamic vibrational mode in the excited state (1171 cm^?1), detected in the positive‐time range, is also studied from the negative‐time traces under the same experimental conditions.     

The energy balance and branching ratios associated with the chemiluminescent reaction Si(3P) + N2O(1Σ) → SiO*(a3Σ+, b3Π, A1Π) + N2(υ″ ⩾ 5) — possible formation of vibrationally excited N2

Silicon atoms react under single collision conditions with N₂O to yield chemiluminescent emission corresponding to the SiO a³Σ⁺?X¹Σ⁺ and b³Π?X¹Σ⁺ intercombination systems and the A¹Π?X¹Σ⁺ band system. A most striking feature of the SiN₂O reaction is the energy balance associated with the formation of SiO product molecules in the A¹Π and b³Π states. A significant energy discrepancy ( = 10000 cm^? = 1.24 eV) is found between the available energy to populate the highest energetically accessible excited-state quantum levels and the highest quantum level from which emission is observed. It is suggested that this discrepancy may result from the formation of vibrationally excited N₂ in a concerted fast SiN₂O reactive encounter. Emission from the SiO a³Σ⁺ (A¹Π) and b³Π(A¹Π, E¹Σ₀⁺) triplet-state manifold results primarily from intensity borrowing involving the indicated singlet states. Perturbation calculations indicate the magnitude of the mixing between the b³Π, A¹Π and E¹Σ₀⁺ states ranges between 0.5 and 2%. On the basis of these calculations, the branching ratio (excited triplet)/(excited singlet) is found to be well in excess of 500. An approximate vibrational population distribution is deduced for those molecules formed in the b³Π state. The present studies are correlated with those of previous workers in order to provide an explanation for diverse relaxation effects as well as observed changes in the ratio of a³Σ⁺ to b³Π emission as a function of pressure and experimental environment. Some of these effects are attributable to a strong coupling between the a³Σ⁺ and b³Π state. Based on the current results, there appears to be little correlation between either (1) the branching ratio for excited state formation or (2) the total absolute cross section for excited-state formation and (3) the measured quantum yield for the SiN₂O reaction. Implications for chemical laser development are considered.     

Collision induced intersystem crossing the photophysics of glyoxal vapor excited at 4358 Å

The yields, lifetimes and spectra of singlet ¹A_u (S₁) and triplet ³A_u (T₁) emissions from glyoxal vapor (0.003 to 10 torr) have been measured after initially pumping levels about 1000 cm^?1 above the S₁ zero-point level with the 4358 A Hg line and with flash excitation centered at 4345 A. Only S₁ emission is observed at the lowest pressures. The singlet fluorescence contains appreciable structure from the zero-point level even when the hard sphere collision interval exceeds the radiative lifetime calculated from the absorption coefficient. Implications of long lifetimes (due to S₁ - T₁ vibronic interactions) are not confirmed by pulsed excitation studies. Both S₁ and T₁ emissions are observed at pressures above about 0.1 tert and both are self-quenched. However, added gases such as cyclohexane, argon, and helium selectively quench only S₁ emission. This quenching is collision-induced S₁→T₁ intersystem crossing with cross sections of order 0.1 hard sphere for transitions from the S₁ zero-point level. The triplet yield in 0.2 torr of pure glyoxal is probably near unity, and the subsequent crossing T₁ → S₀, if it occurs, lies in the statistical limit. Indications of fast nonradiative decay from high triplet vibrational levels are seen in the phosphorescence yields. Self-quenching of the triplet state appears to be associated with the photochemical activity of glyoxal.     

Emission spectra of CH(A 2Δ) from methane in an argon flowing afterglow

The CH A ²ΔX²Π emission was observed in the flowing afterglow reaction of charged species of argon with CH₄. Energetic considerations show that metastable argon ions, Ar^+M(⁴D, ⁴F, ²F, ²G, are plausible candidates, although the contribution of Ar²⁺ cannot be completely excluded. The CH A ²ΔX²Π spectrum was analyzed; the ratio of vibrational populations for the υ′ = 0 and 1 states, P_vib(υ′ = 0), is estimated to be 0.56 ± 0.17, and the effective rotational temperatures are (3.0 ± 1.5) × 10³ and (1.7 ± 0.4) × 10³ K, respectively.     

Optical-optical double-resonance spectroscopy of high vibrational levels of the Na2 A 1Σu+ state in a molecular beam

High vibrational bands of the Na₂ A-X system are investigated in a molecular beam by two-step excitation at separate interaction regions. With a first laser A-state levels are optically pumped; they decay radiatively and populate high vibrational levels of the ground state (e.g. υ′' = 31). A second laser excitation starting from these prepared levels allows the investigation of high vibrational levels of the A state, for example υ′ = 66, 67, 68, 69 and υ′ = 70. From analysis of the υ′ = 66, …, 70-υ′' = 31 bands we obtain B(υ) and G(υ) and, including the data of others, we determined a new RKR potential curve for the A ¹Σ_u⁺ state, extending the experimentally determined potential from υ′ = 44 to υ′ = 70 (78% of the well depth).     

The Low‐Lying Excited States of 2,2′‐Bithiophene: A Theoretical Analysis

The low‐energy regions of the singlet→singlet, singlet→triplet, and triplet→triplet electronic spectra of 2,2′‐bithiophene are studied using multiconfigurational second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) and extended atomic natural orbitals (ANO) basis sets. The computed vertical, adiabatic, and emission transition energies are in agreement with the available experimental data. The two lowest singlet excited states, 1¹B_u and 2¹B_u, are computed to be degenerate, a novel feature of the system to be borne in mind during the rationalization of its photophysics. As regards the observed high triplet quantum yield of the molecule, it is concluded that the triplet states 2³A_g and 2³B_u, separated about 0.4 eV from the two lowest singlet excited states, can be populated by intersystem crossing from nonplanar singlet states.     

Detection of SiF radicals with multiphoton ionization spectroscopy

We report the resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectrum of SiF between 430 and 492 nm. SiF radicals absorbed at least three photons to generate the observed m/z 47 SiF ions. Two-photon absorption bands from C″²Σ⁺ ← X ²Π, and C′²Π ← X ²Π, transitions were observed. An intense band from sequential one-photon transitions from the X ²Π_1/2(υ″ = 0) state through the A²Σ⁺ (υ′ = 0) and C″²Σ⁺ (υ′ = 1) states was observed.     

Photodissociation of CF3NO: observation of NO (υ=1)

That excitation of CF₃NO with wavelengths between 580 and 660 nm yields CF₃ + NO has been shown by two direct techniques. In the first, the CF₃ and NO radicals have been scavenged by their reaction with Cl₂ to yield CF₃Cl and NOCl. as detected by both infrared and mass spectrometry. In the second technique, NO (υ=1) vibrational fluorescence has been observed following tunable dye laser excitation of CF₃NO. The rate of vibrational relaxation of NO (υ=1) in collisions with CF₃NO has been found to be (2.19 ± 0.19) × 10³ s^?1 torr ^?1.     

Measurements of intersystem crossing kinetics using 3545 Å picosecond pulses: nitronaphthalenes and benzophenone

The build-up of triplet-triplet absorption following singlet excitation was measured for 1- and 2-nitronaphthalene and benzophenone on a picosecond time scale in the condensed phase. A single, picosecond pulse from a mode-locked Nd³⁺/glass laser was used to produce excitation at the laser third harmonic, 3545 Å, while the second harmonic at 5300 Å was used to probe the known triplet-triplet absorption in the nitronaphthalenes and benzophenone. Solvent effects on the build-up rates in these molecules are exposed. In the case of benzophenone, we discuss solvent assisted vibrational relaxation and intersystem crossing contributions to these rates. The anomaly of intersystem crossing at a rate of ca. 10¹¹ s^-1 with a triplet yield of less than 1 for the nitronaphthalenes is discussed.     

Ultrafast and long-time excited state kinetics of an NIR-emissive vanadium(iii) complex II. Elucidating triplet-to-singlet excited-state dynamics

We report the non-adiabatic dynamics of V^IIICl₃(ddpd), a complex based on the Earth-abundant first-row transition metal vanadium with a d² electronic configuration which is able to emit phosphorescence in solution in the near-infrared spectral region. Trajectory surface-hopping dynamics based on linear vibronic coupling potentials obtained with CASSCF provide molecular-level insights into the intersystem crossing from triplet to singlet metal-centered states. While the majority of the singlet population undergoes back-intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold, 1–2% remains stable during the 10 ps simulation time, enabling the phosphorescence described in Dorn et al. Chem. Sci., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/D1SC02137K. Competing with intersystem crossing, two different relaxation channels via internal conversion through the triplet manifold occur. The nuclear motion that drives the dynamics through the different electronic states corresponds mainly to the increase of all metal–ligand bond distances as well as the decrease of the angles of trans-coordinated ligand atoms. Both motions lead to a decrease in the ligand-field splitting, which stabilizes the interconfigurational excited states populated during the dynamics. Analysis of the electronic character of the states reveals that increasing and stabilizing the singlet population, which in turn can result in enhanced phosphorescence, could be accomplished by further increasing the ligand-field strength.

The ultrafast triplet-to-singlet mechanism, responsible for the photoluminescence of the open-shell V^IIICl₃(ddpd) complex – based on Earth-abundant vanadium – is unraveled using non-adiabatic dynamics in full dimensionality.     

Vibrational population distribution of ground state BaO formed by the reaction Ba + O2

The vibrational population distribution of X ¹Σ(υ′' = 0 through ν′' = 7) BaO formed in the reaction Ba + O₂ at 0.3 torr has been measured by laser induced photoluminescence intensities. On the basis of the assumed similarity between the Ba + O₂ and Ba + N₂O reactions, these data suggest that a population inversion may exist between A ¹Σ(ν′ = 1) and X ¹Σ(υⁿ = 7) BaO formed in the latter reaction at ≈ 16 torr.     

Theoretical studies of ground and excited electronic states in a series of heteroleptic iridium complexes using density functional theory

A series of new heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes [Ir(C^?N)₂(N^?N)]PF₆ ( 1 ‐ 6 ) (each with two cyclometalating C^?N ligands and one neutral N^?N ancillary ligand, where C^?N = 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), 5‐methyl‐2‐(4‐fluoro)phenylpyridine (F‐mppy), and N^?N = 2,2′‐dipyridyl (bpy), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′‐diphenyl‐2,2′‐dipyridy (dphphen) were found to have rich photophysical properties. Theoretical calculations are employed for studying the photophysical and electrochemical properties. All complexes are investigated using density functional theory. Excited singlet and triplet states are examined using time‐dependent density functional theory. The low‐lying excited‐state geometries are optimized at the ab initio configuration interaction singles level. Then, the excited‐state properties are investigated in detail, including absorption and emission properties, photoactivation processes. The excited state of complexes is complicated and contains triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer, triplet ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer simultaneously. Importantly, the absorption spectra and emission maxima can be tuned significantly by changing the N^?N ligands and C^?N ligands. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Photophysical Properties of Rufloxacin in Neutral Aqueous Solution

The photophysical properties of rufloxacin, 9-fluoro-2_r3-dihydro-10-(4-methyl-l-pyrazinyl)-7-oxo-7-H-pyri-do[l,2,3-de]-l,4-benzothiazin-6-carboxylic acid, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug exhibiting photosensitizing action toward biological substrates, were studied in aqueous solutions at neutral pH. The lowest excited electronic states of the zwitterion were characterized by both experimental techniques and theoretical methods. Steady-state and time-resolved emission, triplet-state absorption and singlet oxygen production were investigated. The results indicate that the lowest excited singlet is a fluorescent, relatively long-lived state (φ_r= 0.075, T_r? 4.5 ns) with an efficient intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold (φ_isc? 0-⁷)- The lowest triplet is a long-lived state (T_T? 10 μs at 295 K in 0.01 M phosphate buffer), with properties that make it a good candidate for being the precursor of the photodecarboxylation of the drug. It is quenched by oxygen at a rate of 1.7 times 10⁹M^-1 s-¹ and singlet oxygen is formed with a quantum yield of 0.32 in air-saturated solutions.     

1,1‐Dilithioethylene: Toward Spectroscopic Identification of the Definitive Singlet Ground Electronic State of a Peculiar Structure

1,1‐Dilithioethylene is a prototypical carbon–lithium compound that is not known experimentally. All low‐lying singlet and triplet structures of interest were investigated by using high‐level theoretical methods with correlation‐consistent basis sets up to pentuple ζ. The coupled cluster methods adopted included up to full triple excitations and perturbative quadruples. In contrast to earlier studies that predicted the twisted C_2v triplet to be the ground state, we found a peculiar planar C_s singlet ground state in the present research. The lowest excited electronic state of 1,1‐dilithioethylene, the twisted C_s triplet, was found to lie 9.0 kcal mol^?1 above the ground state by using energy extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. For the planar C_s singlet and twisted C_s triplet states of 1,1‐dilithioethylene, anharmonic vibrational frequencies were reported on the basis of second‐order vibrational perturbation theory. The remarkably low (2050 cm^?1) C?H stretching fundamental (the C?H bond near the bridging lithium) of the singlet state was found to have very strong infrared intensity. These highly reliable theoretical findings may assist in the long‐sought experimental identification of 1,1‐dilithioethylene. Using natural bond orbital analysis, we found that lithium bridging structures were strongly influenced by electrostatic effects. All carbon–carbon linkages corresponded to conventional double bonds.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL AND PHOTOSENSITIZING PROPERTIES OF BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE MONOACID RING A (BPD-MA)*

The photophysical properties of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA), a second-generation photosensitizer currently in phase II clinical trials, were investigated in homogeneous solution. Absorption, fluorescence, triplet-state, singlet oxygen (O₂(¹Δ_g)) sensitization studies and photobleaching experiments are reported. The ground state of this chlorin-type molecule shows a strong absorbance in the red (λ≈ 688 nm, ?≈ 33 000 M^?1 cm^?1 in organic solvents). For the singlet excited state the following data were determined in methanol: energy level, E_s= 42.1 kcal mol^?1, lifetime, Φ_f= 5.2 ns and fluorescence quantum yield, Φ_f= 0.05 in air-saturated solution. The triplet state of BPD-MA has a lifetime, τ_f >. 25 ns, an energy level, E_T= 26.9 kcal mol^?1 and the molar absorption coefficient is ?_T= 26 650 M^?1 cm^?1 at 720 nm. A dramatic effect of oxygen on the fluorescence (φ_f) and intersystem crossing (φ_T) quantum yields has been observed. The BPD-MA presents rather high triplet (φ_T= 0.68 under N₂-saturated conditions) and singlet oxygen (φ_Δ= 0.78) quantum yields. On the other hand, the presence of oxygen does not significantly modify the photobleaching of this photostable compound, the photodegradation quantum yield (φ_Pb) of which was found to be on the order of 5 × 10^?5 in organic solvents.     

Incomplete vibrational state mixing in the J′ = 0 triplet manifold of pyrazine at an excess energy of ≈ 4000 cm−1. Possible evidence for non-ergodicity

By combining data obtained from a deconvolution of the ultra-high-resolution J′ = 0 LIF spectrum of the mixed singlet-triplet states of pyrazine with some simple ideas regarding spin-orbit coupling in polyatomic molecules, we show that the “prediagonalized” triplet levels which are coupled to the zero-order singlet retain their vibrational identity (i.e. are incompletely mixed). This suggests that, when the rotationless molecule is excited to its lowest triplet state with an excess energy of = 4000 cm⁻¹, it does not explore uniformly all regions of the available vibrational phase space. Some possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.