Electronic absorption spectra of the protonated polyacetylenes HC2nH2+ (n=3,4) in the gas phase

A new approach has been developed for the purpose of measuring the electronic transitions to bound exited states for cations that have been collisionally relaxed to low vibrational and rotational temperatures. This has been used to obtain the first gas phase electronic spectra of the protonated polyacetylenes using a two-color ion-photodissociation approach. Specifically, the origin bands in the B (1)A(1)<-- X(1)A(1) transitions of HC(6)H(2) (+) and HC(8)H(2) (+) (C(2v) geometry) were observed at 26,403.3 and 21,399.8 cm(-1). Data on such cooled systems allow a direct comparison between laboratory and astrophysical measurements.     

Photoelectron imaging of I2- at 5.826 eV

We report the anion photoelectron spectrum of I2- taken at 5.826 eV detachment energy using velocity mapped imaging. The photoelectron spectrum exhibits bands resulting from transitions to the bound regions of the X 1Sigmag+(0g+), A' 3Piu(2u), A 3Piu(1u), and B 3Piu(0u+) electronic states as well as bands resulting from transitions to the repulsive regions of several I2 electronic states: the B' 3Piu(0u-), B" 1Piu(1u), 3Pig(2g), a 3Pig(1g), 3Pig(0g-), and C 3Sigmau+(1u) states. We simulate the photoelectron spectrum using literature parameters for the I2- and I2 ground and excited states. The photoelectron spectrum includes bands resulting from transitions to several high-lying excited states of I2 that have not been seen experimentally: 3Pig(0g-), 1Pig3(1g), 1 3Sigmag-3(0g+), and the 1Sigmag-3(0u-) states of I2. Finally, the photoelectron spectrum at 5.826 eV allows for the correction of a previous misassignment for the vertical detachment energy of the I2 B 3Piu(0u+) state.     

Electronic gas-phase spectra of larger polyacetylene cations

The origin bands of the A 2Pi-X 2Pi electronic transition for three new linear polyacetylene cation chains, HC12H+, HC14H+, and HC16H+, have been recorded in the gas phase at approximately 30 K, located at 924.7, 1034.6, and 1144.0 nm. The absorption spectra were observed using a two-color two-photon ion-photodissociation experiment that utilizes the cooling capabilities of a 22-pole ion trap. Such spectra allow a direct comparison between laboratory and astrophysical data; however, no matches were found between the experimentally determined origin bands and the known diffuse interstellar bands.     

Electronic absorption spectra of C3Cl, C4Cl, and their ions in neon matrices

Electronic absorption spectra of C3Cl, C3Cl+, C3Cl-, C4Cl, and C4Cl+ have been recorded in 6 K neon matrices following mass selection. Ab initio calculations were performed (CCSD(T) and CASSCF) to identify the ground and accessible excited states of each molecule. The estimated excitation energies and transition moments aid the assignment. The absorptions observed for C3Cl are the 5(2)A' <-- X(2)A' and 3(2)A' <-- X(2)A' transitions of the bent isomer and the (2)A1 <-- X(2)B2 transition of the cyclic form in the UV (336.1 nm), visible (428.7 nm), and near-IR (1047 nm) regions, respectively. The band systems for bent C3Cl- (435.2 nm) and linear C3Cl+ (413.2 nm) are both in the visible region and correspond to 2(1)A' <-- X(1)A' and (1)pi <-- X(1)sigma+ type transitions. The C4Cl and C4Cl+ chains are linear, and the band origins of the 2(2)pi <-- X(2)pi and 2(3)pi <-- X(3)pi electronic transitions are at 427.0 and 405.7 nm. The spectral assignments are supported by analysis of the vibrational structure associated with each electronic transition.     

High-resolution spectroscopy of the 2(2)Piu<--X4Sigmag- forbidden transitions of C2+

The electronic absorption spectrum of the (0,2), (1,3), and (6,9) bands of the B4Sigmau(-)-X4Sigmag- system of C2+ was obtained using the velocity modulation technique in conjunction with heterodyne detection. The rotationally resolved spectrum shows perturbations, which are attributed to the 2(2)Piu state. The mixing between the B4Sigmau- state and the 2(2)Piu state for nearly degenerate levels generated enough intensity borrowing to observe twenty 2(2)Piu<--X4Sigmag- forbidden transitions. The parameters of a model Hamiltonian were fit to the bands and their corresponding forbidden transitions. Line position measurements, line strength factors, and expectation values for the orbital angular momentum Lambda' for the forbidden transitions are reported. Molecular parameters from the global fit of each band, including their corresponding forbidden transitions, are reported.     

Isotope effects and Born-Oppenheimer breakdown in excited singlet states of the lithium dimer

Observation of infrared electronic transitions involving the 1 (1)Deltag state of 7Li2 has instigated an investigation of Born-Oppenheimer breakdown in four singlet electronic states correlating with (2s+2s), (2s+2p), and (2p+2p) lithium atoms. The 1 (1)Deltag state, which correlates at long range with (2p+2p) atoms, has been observed in emission from the (5p) (1)Piu Rydberg state and in 1 (1)Deltag-B (1)Piu bands, in both instances following optical-optical double-resonance excitation. The latter transition was observed previously for the lighter isotopomer, 6Li2 [C. Linton, F. Martin, P. Crozet, A. J. Ross, and R. Bacis, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 158, 445 (1993)]. By analyzing multiple-isotopomer data for several electronic systems simultaneously, we have determined the electronic isotope shifts and the leading vibrational and/or rotational Born-Oppenheimer breakdown terms for the X (1)Sigmag+, A (1)Sigmau+, B (1)Piu, and 1 (1)Deltag states of the lithium dimer. This paper also reports Fourier transform measurements of the B-X absorption spectra of 6Li2 and 7Li2, which were required to better define the bottom portion of the B (1)Piu state potential.     

Parallel and coupled perpendicular transitions of RbCs 640 nm system: mass-resolved resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a cold molecular beam

We have investigated the RbCs 640 nm system by mass-resolved resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a cold molecular beam. Very complex vibronic structures were observed between 15420 and 15990 cm (-1). The parallel transitions of 2 (3)Pi 0 v' = 4-20 <-- X (1)Sigma (+) v' = 0 were identified by rotationally resolved spectra. Molecular constants and a Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential energy curve of the 2 (3)Pi 0 state were determined. The regular vibrational spacing of the parallel transition indicated that the 2 (3)Pi 0 state is not significantly perturbed by nearby excited electronic states. The complexity of the observed vibronic structures has been attributed to the coupled perpendicular transitions of 2 (1)Pi, 2 (3)Pi 1, and 3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) <-- X (1)Sigma (+) v' = 0. For the perpendicular bands observed in the lower-energy spectral region between 15420 and 15630 cm (-1) where the onsets of the 2 (3)Pi 1 and 3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) <-- X (1)Sigma (+) transitions are located, the upper electronic states and the vibrational quantum numbers were assigned. Perturbations of 2 (3)Pi 1-3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) and 2 (1)Pi-3 (3)Sigma 1 (+) have been identified by the observed level shifts.     

Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of BO- and BO2-: a joint experimental and theoretical study

We report a photoelectron spectroscopy and computational study of two simple boron oxide species: BO- and BO2-. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained at several photon energies (355, 266, 193, and 157 nm) for the 10B isotopomers, 10BO- and 10BO2-. In the spectra of 10BO-, we observe transitions to the 2Sigma+ ground state and the 2Pi excited state of 10BO at an excitation energy of 2.96 eV. The electron affinity of 10BO is measured to be 2.510+/-0.015 eV. The vibrational frequencies of the ground states of 10BO- and 10BO and the 2Pi excited state are measured to be 1725+/-40, 1935+/-30, and 1320+/-40 cm-1, respectively. For 10BO2-, we observe transitions to the 2Pig ground state and two excited states of 10BO2, 2Piu, and 2Sigmau+, at excitation energies of 2.26 and 3.04 eV, respectively. The electron affinity of 10BO2 is measured to be 4.46+/-0.03 eV and the symmetrical stretching vibrational frequency of the 2Piu excited state of 10BO2 is measured to be 980+/-30 cm-1. Both density functional and ab initio calculations are performed to elucidate the electronic structure and chemical bonding of the two boron oxide molecules. Comparisons with the isoelectronic AlO- and AlO2- species and the closely related molecules CO, N2, CN-, and CO2 are also discussed.     

Electronic and infrared absorption spectra of linear and cyclic C6+ in a neon matrix

Electronic and infrared absorption spectra of mass-selected C6+, generated by dissociative electron impact ionization of C6Cl6 and C6Br6, have been recorded in 6 K neon matrices. Linear and cyclic forms of C6+ have been observed. The 2Pig<--Chi2Piu electronic transition of linear C6+ has its origin band at 646 nm whereas for the (2) 2B2<--Chi2A1 system of the cyclic isomer it lies at 570 nm. An infrared active fundamental mode in the ground electronic state of C6+ is observed at 2092 and 1972 cm(-1) for the linear and cyclic isomer, respectively.     

Electronic quenching of OH A 2Sigma+ radicals in single collision events with molecular hydrogen: quantum state distribution of the OH X 2Pi products

We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the nonreactive quenching channel resulting from electronic quenching of OH A 2Sigma+ by molecular hydrogen. The experiments utilize a pump-probe scheme to determine the OH X 2Pi population distribution following collisional quenching in a pulsed supersonic expansion. The pump laser excites OH A 2Sigma+ (nu'=0, N'=0), which has a significantly reduced fluorescence lifetime due to quenching by H2. The probe laser monitors the OH X 2Pi (nu", N") population via laser-induced fluorescence on various A-X transitions under single collision conditions. The experiments reveal a high degree of rotational excitation (N") of the quenched OH X 2Pi products observed in nu"=1 and 2 as well as a pronounced propensity for quenching into the Pi(A') Lambda-doublet level. These experiments have been supplemented by extensive multireference, configuration-interaction calculations aimed at exploring the topology of the relevant potential energy surfaces. Electronic quenching of OH A 2Sigma+ by H2 proceeds through conical intersections between two potentials of A' reflection symmetry (in planar geometry) that correlate with the electronically excited A 2Sigma+ and ground X 2Pi states of OH. The conical intersections occur in high-symmetry geometries, in which the O side of OH points toward H2. Corroborating and extending earlier work of Hoffman and Yarkony [J. Chem. Phys. 113, 10091 (2000)], these calculations reveal a steep gradient away from the OH-H2 conical intersection as a function of both the OH orientation and interfragment distance. The former will give rise to a high degree of OH rotational excitation, as observed for the quenched OH X 2Pi products.     

Spin-orbit configuration interaction study of the ultraviolet photofragmentation of XeH+

The multireference spin-orbit CI method is employed to calculate potential energy curves for the ground and low-lying excited states of the XeH+ cation. For the first time, the spin-orbit interaction is taken into account and electric dipole moments are computed for transitions to the states responsible for the first absorption continuum (A band) of XeH+. On this basis, the partial and total absorption spectra in this energy range are obtained. It is found that the A-band absorption is dominated by the spin-forbidden b3Pi0+ <-- X1sigma+ parallel transition, while perpendicular transitions to the B(1)Pi and b(3)Pi(1) states are significantly weaker. The Gamma(nu) branching ratio defined as the ratio of the Xe+(2P(1/2)) yield to the total yield of the Xe+ cations from the XeH+ photodissociation is calculated for the (42-80) x 10(3) spectral range. It is shown that Gamma(nu) increases smoothly from <0.2 in the red and blue tails of the band to its maximum of 0.92 in the middle of the band, at E approximately 51.4 x 10(3) cm(-1). The high Gamma(nu) values correspond to the predominant formation of the spin-excited Xe+(2P(1/2)) ions that may be used to obtain IR laser generation at the Xe+(2P(1/2) - 2P(3/2)) transition. The calculated XeH+ data are compared with those for the isovalent ArH+, KrH+, and HI systems.     

Spectroscopic investigation of Al2N and its anion via negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy

Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy was used to elucidate the electronic and geometric structure of the gaseous Al2N/Al2N- molecules, using photodetachment wavelengths of 416 nm (2.977 eV), 355 nm (3.493 eV), and 266 nm (4.661 eV). Three electronic bands are observed and assigned to the X2Sigma(u)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+, A2Pi(u) <-- X1Sigma(g)+, and B2Sigma(g)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+ electronic transitions, with the caveat that one or both excited states may be slightly bent. With the aid of density functional theory calculations and Franck-Condon spectral simulations, we determine the adiabatic electron affinity of Al2N, 2.571 +/- 0.008 eV, along with geometry changes upon photodetachment, vibrational frequencies, and excited-state term energies. Observation of excitation of the odd vibrational levels of the antisymmetric stretch (nu3) suggests a breakdown of the Franck-Condon approximation, caused by the vibronic coupling between the X2Sigma(u)+ and B2Sigma(g)+ electronic states through the nu3 mode.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the electronic spectrum of BeAl

The electronic structure of BeAl was investigated by laser induced fluorescence and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. BeAl was formed by pulsed laser ablation of a Be/Al alloy in the presence of helium carrier gas, followed by a free jet expansion into vacuum. In agreement with recent ab initio studies, the molecule was found to have a (2)Pi(1/2) ground state. Transitions to two low lying electronic states, (2)(2)Pi(1/2)(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2) (v' = 0) and (1)(2)Delta(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2) (v' = 0,1), were observed and rotationally analyzed. An additional band system, identified as (4)(2)Sigma(+)(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2), was found in the 28 000-30 100 cm(-1) energy range. This transition exhibited an unusual pattern of vibrational levels resulting from an avoided crossing with the (5)(2)Sigma(+) electronic state. New multi-reference configuration interaction calculations were carried out to facilitate the interpretation of the UV bands.An ionization energy of 48 124(80) cm(-1) was determined for BeAl from photoionization efficiency (PIE) measurements. Fine structure in the PIE curve was attributed to resonances with Rydberg series correlating with vibrationally excited states of the BeAl(+) ion. Analysis of this structure yielded a vibrational frequency of 240(20) cm(-1) for the cation.     

3Sigma- -X 3Sigma- electronic transition of linear C6H+ and C8H+ in neon matrixes

The electronic absorption spectra of linear C6H+ and C8H+ were recorded in 6 K neon matrixes following mass selective deposition. The (1) 3Sigma- -X 3Sigma- electronic transition is identified with the origin band at 515.8 and 628.4 nm for l-C6H+ and l-C8H+, respectively. One strong (near 267 nm) and several weaker electronic transitions of l-C8H+ have also been observed in the UV. The results of ab initio calculations carried out for linear and cyclic C6H+ are consistent with the assignment.     

Ab initio study including spin-orbit effects on the B-X transition of AgI

The lowest Omega = 0-,0+,1,2 fine-structure potential energy curves arising from the two lowest-lying singlet (X 1Sigma+ and 2 1Sigma+) and the first 3Pi electronic states of AgI were obtained through an effective Hamiltonian; the purely electronic LambdaSSigma energies were used as diagonal elements, which were calculated through extensive complete active space self-consistent field + averaged coupled pair functional calculations, with relativistic effective core potentials and optimized Gaussian basis sets for both atoms. The spin-orbit interactions were included using the Stuttgart effective spin-orbit potentials. For the excited Omega = 0+ states, very strong mixtures were found of the 2 1Sigma+ and 3Pi parents that lead to the fine-structure (0+) single B state (dominated by the 2 1Sigma+ parent at long distance), that explains the B <-- X transitions. The present results also explain the presence of a second long-distance minimum for the B0+ state, experimentally Rydberg-Klein-Rees fitted. These calculations produced, as a byproduct, a new lower-lying Omega = 0+ yet unobserved fine-structure state predicted to exist around 22,000 cm(-1). Our theoretical results are compared and discussed in the light of the experimental data for the B-X transitions in silver halides [J. Chem. Phys. 109, 9831 (1998)].     

Gas-phase electronic spectra of two substituted benzene cations: phenylacetylene+ and 4-fluorostyrene+

The visible spectra of phenylacetylene+ and 4-fluorostyrene+ have been measured by laser photodissociation spectroscopy. The observed vibronic systems were assigned to the B2A' <-- X2A' and C2B1 <-- X2B1 electronic transition in the 4-fluorostyrene+ and phenylacetylene+ cations, respectively. Two methods were employed and compared: a resonant multiphoton dissociation scheme of the bare cations and a resonant photodissociation technique applied to the chromophore+-argon n=1,2 ionic complexes. The latter approach allowed the intrinsic profile to be resolved, revealing different intramolecular dynamical behavior. Their electronic relaxation has been rationalized in terms of an apparent energy gap law for the benzene derivative cations.     

Kinetics of C2(a3Piu) radical reactions with alkanes by LIF

The reactions of C2(a3Piu) radicals with a series of alkanes have been studied at room temperature and 6.5 torr total pressure using the pulsed laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence technique. C2(a3Piu) radicals were generated by photolysis of C2Cl4 with the focused output from the fourth harmonic of a Nd: YAG laser at 266 nm. The relative concentration of C2(a3Piu) radicals was monitored on the (0,0) band of the C2(d3Pig <-- a3Piu) transition at 516.5 nm by laser-induced fluorescence. From the analysis of the relative concentration-time behavior of C2(a3Piu) under pseudofirst-order conditions, the rate constants for the reactions of C2(a3Piu) with alkanes (C1-C8) were determined. The rate constant increases linearly with the increasing of the number of CH2 groups in the alkanes. The experimental results indicate that the reaction of C2(a3Piu) with small alkanes (C1-C8) follows the typical hydrogen abstraction process. Based on the correlation of the experimental results with the bond dissociation energy of the alkanes, the reactions of C2(a3Piu) with small alkanes likely proceed via the mechanism of hydrogen abstraction.     

Fluorescence and metastability of N2O2+: theory and experiment

State-selective mass spectrometry has revealed one conclusive and another probable metastable state of the N2O2+ dication, assigned respectively as 1 3Pi at 38.5 eV and 2 3Pi at 42.5 eV. Photon coincidence experiments confirm that dissociation of 1 3Pi is preceded by a fluorescent transition to X 3Sigma- and also indicate that an identical mechanism occurs for 2 3Pi. Highly correlated MRCI calculations are performed at a range of N2O2+ geometries, from which both N-N and N-O bond stretching curves are generated. Substantial barriers along both coordinates are observed for 1 3Pi and 2 3Pi, although the increasing density of states at higher energy may allow spin-orbit or vibronic predissociation for 2 3Pi. Fragment emissions derived from N2O+ and N2O2+ are analyzed with the aid of glass filters, from which NO (X 2Pi<--A 2Sigma+) and vibrationally excited N2+ (X 2Sigmag+<--B 2Sigmau+) transitions are deduced.     

Product branching between reactive and nonreactive pathways in the collisional quenching of OH A 2Sigma+ radicals by H2

The collisional quenching of OH radicals in their excited A 2Sigma+ electronic state by molecular hydrogen is examined to determine the partitioning between reactive and nonreactive pathways. This is achieved using a pump-probe laser technique to compare the population prepared in the excited OH A 2Sigma+ state with that produced in the OH X 2Pi ground state from nonreactive quenching. Only a small fraction of the products, less than 15%, arise from nonreactive quenching; reactive quenching is the dominant product channel. The branching between the product channels provides a new dynamical signature of the conical intersection region(s) that couple the excited state potential for OH A 2Sigma++H2 with OH X 2Pi+H2 and H2O+H products.     

Production mechanisms of NH and NH2 radicals in N2-H2 plasmas

We measured the densities of NH and NH(2) radicals by cavity ring-down spectroscopy in N(2)-H(2) plasmas expanding from a remote thermal plasma source and in N(2) plasmas to which H(2) was added in the background. The NH radical was observed via transitions in the (0,0), (1,1), and (2,2) vibrational bands of the A(3)Pi <-- X(3)Sigma- electronic transition and the NH(2) radical via transitions in the (0,9,0) <-- (0,0,0) band of the A(2)A(1) <-- X(2)B(1) electronic transition. The measurements revealed typical densities of 5 x 10(18) m(-3) for the NH radical in both plasmas and up to 7 x 10(18) m(-3) for the NH(2) radical when N(2) and H(2) are both fed through the plasma source. In N(2) plasma with H(2) injected in the background, no NH(2) was detected, indicating that the density is below our detection limit of 3 x 1016 m-3. The error in the measured densities is estimated to be around 20%. From the trends of the NH(x) radicals as a function of the relative H(2) flow to the total N(2) and H(2) flow at several positions in the expanding plasma beam, the key reactions for the formation of NH and NH(2) have been determined. The NH radicals are mainly produced via the reaction of N atoms emitted by the plasma source with H(2) molecules with a minor contribution from the reaction of N+ with H(2). The NH(2) radicals are formed by reactions of NH(3) molecules, produced at the walls of the plasma reactor, and H atoms emitted by the plasma source. The NH radicals can also be produced by H abstraction of NH(2) radicals. The flux densities of the NH(x) radicals with respect to the atomic radicals are appreciable in the first part of the expansion. Further downstream the NH(x) radicals are dissociated, and their densities become smaller than those of the atomic radicals. It is concluded that the NH(x) radicals play an important role as precursors for the N and H atoms, which are key to the surface production of N(2), H(2), and NH(3) molecules.