Fragmentation of Na(NH3) n + cluster ions

Photoionization and -fragmentation of Na(NH₃)_n clusters by 170 fs and 8 ns laser pulses are studied with photon energies of 2.98 eV to 3.46 eV. In the reflectron timeof- flight mass spectra a strong metastable loss of NH₃ is observed independent of the laser pulse length. From the fragmentation rate constants the internal energy of the cluster ions prior to the fragmentation process is determined by an RRK approach.     

Reaction dynamics of Na n + in collision with molecular oxygen

Reaction dynamics of sodium cluster ions, Na _n ⁺ (n = 2–9), in collision with molecular oxygen, O₂ was investigated by measuring the absolute dissociation cross sections and the branching fractions by using a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with several octapole ion guides. The mass spectrum of the product ions show that the dominant reaction channels are production of oxide ions, Na_kO_i (i =1, 2), and intact ions, Na _p ⁺ (p < n). With increase in the collision energy, the cross section for the production of the oxide ions decreased, while that for the production of the intact ions increased. The collision-energy dependences of the cross section for the oxide formation reveals that electron harpooning from the molecule to Na _n ⁺ preludes the oxideion formation. On the other hand, the collision-energy dependences of the cross sections for the intact ion formation is explained by a hard-sphere-collision model similar to the collisional dissociation of Na _n ⁺ by rare-gas impact.     

Stability of isomeric Na n clusters

A method which combines density functional theory and the use of pseudopotentials is applied to obtain ground state and low-lying metastable geometries of Na _n clusters (7≤n≤40). The large variation in the magnitude of energy gaps between isomers suggests that the melting temperature is not a simple monotonous function of size. A detailed study of the differences between electronically stabilized (n=8, 20, 40) and structurally stabilized (n=13) clusters suggests some clues to understand the intriguing behaviour of Na₁₃.     

Structure and stability for (AlN) n + and (AlN) n + (n=1–15) clusters

Using density functional theory (DFT) method with 6-31G* basis set, we have carried out the optimizing calculation of geometry, vibrational frequency and thermodynamical stability for (AlN) _n ⁺ and (AlN) _n ⁺ (n=1–15) clusters. Moreover, their ionic potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA) were discussed. The results show that the electrical charge condition of the cluster has a relatively great impact on the structure of the cluster and with the increase of n, this kind of impact is reduced gradually. There are no Al-Al and N-N bonds in the stable structure of (AlN) _n ⁺ or (AlN) _n ^-, and the Al-N bond is the sole bond type. The magic number regularity of (AlN) _n ⁺ and (AlN) _n ^- is consistent with that for (AlN) _n , indicating that the structure with even n such as 2, 4, 6, ... is more stable. In addition, (AlN₁₀ has the maximal ionization power (9.14 eV) and the minimal electron affinity energy (0.19 eV), which manifests that (AlN)₁₀ is more stable than other clusters.     

Energy transfer in reactive and nonreactive collisions of Na with Na2

Stimulated by the experimental finding of vibrationally and rotationally cold dimers in supersonic nozzle molecular beams of sodium, we have studied energy transfer in collisions of Na with Na₂ over a wide range of initial relative translation energies E and impact parameters b by a classical mechanical trajectory method. The vibrational and rotational energies were initialized using Boltzmann distributions characterized by temperatures T_vib = 150 K, T_rot = 50 K. We find that for large values of E the energy transfer in reactive collisions increases with b while it decreases with b for the nonreactive collisions. For low values of E, energy transfer is a decreasing function of b for both reactive and nonreactive encounters. Both the reactive and nonreactive mechanisms are very efficient in effecting transfer, between 40–70% of the initial relative translational energy is converted into internal energy of the diatom, leading to the conclusion that the reverse collisions would result in the rapid relaxation observed in experiment.     

Collision induced fragmentation of mass-selected (CO2) n + clusters

The collisional velocity dependence of the cross sections for fragmentation of mass-selected (CO₂) _n ⁺ (n+2...7) clusters in collisions with Ar atoms is presented. Interesting structure can be observed in the cross sections which indicate that the collision occurs between the Ar atom and one CO₂ molecule within the cluster. The results may be explained by assuming that the collision leads to either vibrational excitation of a loosely bound CO₂ monomer which then leaves the cluster or excitation of the entire cluster to a dissociative state.     

Coherent excitation of H(n=2) in H+, H - He collisions

The coherent excitation of H(n=2) in H⁺, H - He collisions was investigated at incident energies of 5–25 keV. From a polarization analysis of the emitted Lyman-α radiation as a function of an external electric field, the partial cross sections for excitation to the H(2s) and the H(2p _m) magnetic substates and the real part of thes ?p ₀-coherence were extracted. For H⁺-He collisions, the measured partial cross sections are in fair agreement with previous two-electron calculations by Kimura and Lin; the agreement with one-electron calculations of Jain et al. is, particularly at the lower incident energies, less satisfactory. For both collision systems, an energy-dependent forward-backward asymmetry corresponding to a shift of the center-of-charge relative to the center-of-mass (dipole moment) was observed. In H⁺ - He collisions, the measured dipole moment was positive; it thus corresponds to an electron trailing behind the proton. The same analysis applied to the H - He system showed the electron riding in front of the proton.     

Stability,Infrared Spectra and Electronic Structures of (ZrO2)n(n=3-6)Clusters:DFT Study

The stability, infrared spectra and electronic structures of (ZrO₂)_n (n=3–6) clusters have been investigated by using density‐functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The lowest‐energy structures have been recognized by considering a number of structural isomers for each cluster size. It is found that the lowest‐energy (ZrO₂)₅ cluster is the most stable among the (ZrO₂)_n (n=3–6) clusters. The vibration spectra of Zr? O stretching motion from terminal oxygen atom locate between 900 and 1000 cm^?1, and the vibrational band of Zr? O? Zr? O four member ring is obtained at 600–700 cm^?1, which are in good agreement with the experimental results. Mulliken populations and NBO charges of (ZrO₂)_n clusters indicate that the charge transfers occur between 4d orbital of Zr atoms and 2p orbital of O atoms. HOMO‐LUMO gaps illustrate that chemical stabilities of the lowest‐energy (ZrO₂)_n (n=3–6) clusters display an even‐odd alternating pattern with increasing cluster size.     

Observation and investigation of metastable decay series of (N2) n + cluster ions

N₂ cluster ions are produced by electron impact ionization of a supersonic N₂ cluster beam and analyzed with a double focussing sector field mass spectrometer. It is found that metastable N₂ cluster ions lose more than one N₂ molecule in the μs time regime and decay predominantly via sequential series (N₂) _n ⁺ *→(N₂) _n?1 ⁺ *→...→N ₂ ⁺ , evaporating a single monomer in each of these successive decay steps. The metastable decay rates determined in detail for cluster sizes 2≤n≤6 andn=20 lie between 1 and 10⁶s^?1. These rates(i) depend strongly on the time elapsed after ion formation and on the respective parent cluster ion size, and(ii) exhibit a quasiperiodic pattern in magnitude.     

The effect of the electron spin on angular momentum transfer in Na*(32 P 3/2)+Na+ collisions — crossed beam experiment and semiclassical calculation

The angular momentum transfer between electronic and heavy particle motion has been studied for inelastic collisions of laser state-prepared Na*(3² P _3/2,M _J ) with Na⁺ leading to Na*(3² D) or Na(3² S) in the energy rangeE _cm=5?47.5 eV. The measurements are compared to semiclassical calculations employing the coupled channel method in the impact parameter approximation but including dynamics of the electron spin coupling to the heavy particle motion.     

Silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag n X m (n≥2; 0≤m≤n;X=F,Br)

Nonstoichiometric silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag _n X _m (0≤m≤n;X=F, Br) are generated by cocondensation of Ag atoms and AgX species using a slightly modified gas aggregation technique. The AgX molecules are produced by partial decomposition of SF₆ and Br₂ respectively at the surface of the hot silver containing crucible, followed by the reaction of halogen atoms with silver, giving rise to the formation of AgX molecules. In a heterogeneous nucleation between these molecules and evaporated Ag atoms the afore mentioned cluster compounds are formed. The degree of halogenation can either be controlled by the adjustment of the silver evaporation rate, or even more easily by controlling the partial pressure of the halogenating agent. The mass spectra of singly charged halogenated clusters, which are generated by electron impact ionization, reflect the stability of ions. These mass spectra demonstrate that there is an alternation in the intensity pattern up to a relatively high degree of halogenation (m) for each of the investigated compound series Ag _n X _m ,n≤8. This behavior is similar to the well-known odd-even effect for pure metal clusters, allowing us to postulate the existence of a “metallic” core which governs the stability of the cluster ion (at least for not too high degree of halogenation).     

Ab-initio study of Na n F n and Na n F n−1 clusters: atypical structures

Alkali halide clusters Na _n F _n have most frequently cuboid structures and Na _n F _n?1 clusters are derived from Na _n F _n by removing a F^? centre. An excess electron localises on the site of the removed F^? ion. In this paper, other kind of clusters are studied at the SCF level: i) The non-cubic structures. ii) The cubic Na _n F _n?1 for which the excess electron has no defined site. Due to very large size of these species (at least 27 atoms!) some equivalent fictive linear and planar geometries are studied.     

Homogeneity regions of double molybdates in the Na2MoO4-MgMoO4 system and structures of triclinic Na1.51Mg2.245(MoO4)3 and Na1.66Mn2.17(MoO4)3

In the samples of the Na₂MoO₄-MgMoO₄ system quenched in the air at above 600°C, by powder X-ray diffraction two double molybdates of variable composition are detected: monoclinic alluaudite-like Na_4?2x Mg_1+x (MoO₄)₃ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.35) and triclinic Na_2?2y Mg_2+y (MoO₄)₃ (0.10 ≤ y ≤ 0.40) isostructural to previously studied Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆. Sodium-magnesium molybdate of the Li₃Fe(MoO₄)₃ structure type is not revealed in this system. By spontaneous flux crystallization, the crystals are obtained and the structures of two triclinic double molybdates of the Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆ structure type (space group $P\bar 1$ , Z = 1) containing magnesium and manganese are determined. The results of the refinement of site occupancies made it possible to determine the composition of the studied crystals: for the compound with magnesium (Na)_0.5(Na_0.255□_0.745)(Na_0.755Mg_0.245)Mg₂(MoO₄)₃ or Na_1.51Mg_2.245(MoO₄)₃ (a = 6.9577(1) Å, b = 8.6330(2) Å, c = 10.2571(2) Å, α = 106.933(1)°, β = 104.864(1)°, γ = 103.453(1)°, R = 0.0188); for the compound with manganese (Na)_0.5(Na_0.33□_0.67)(Na_0.83Mn_0.17)Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ or Na_1.64Mn_2.17(MoO₄)₃ (a = 7.0778(2) Å, b = 8.8115(2) Å, c = 10.4256(2) Å, α = 106.521(1)°, β = 105.639(3)°, Γ = 103.233(1)°, R = 0.0175). The Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆ structure is redetermined and it is shown that actually it corresponds to the composition Na_1.40Mg_2.30(MoO₄)₃.     

Orientation of Na(3p) states excited in Na-He collisions

The orientation of Na(3p) states created in 3–13 keV Na(3s)-He collisions has been studied by the polarised photon-scattered particle coincidence technique at scattering angles corresponding to the impact-parameter range 1–2 a.u. In the standard geometry, at large impact parameters the excitation process exhibits a very high degree of orientation with about 90% of the Na(3p) states havingm ₁=?1. Strong reduction in this propensity is observed at impact parameters smaller than about 1.3 a.u., where a molecular curve crossing causes simultaneous He(n=2) excitation. In this region, also ionisation becomes important.     

Cluster cations ejected from liquid metal ion source: alkali metals (Li,Na) and group IV elements (Si,Ge, Sn,Pb)

Cluster abundance of Li _n ⁺ (n≤19), Na _n ⁺ (n≤25), Si _n ^z+ (n≤8 forz=1, 3≤n≤7 forz=2), Ge _n ^z+ (n≤11 forz=1, 3≤n≤9 forz=2,n=4 forz=3), Sn _n ^z+ (n≤7 forz=1, 3≤n≤9 forz=2,n=4 forz=3) and Pb _n ^z+ (n≤6 forz=1, 5≤n≤7 forz=2) ejected from a liquid metal ion source has been investigated by mass spectrometry. The abundance spectra of alkali metal clusters showed distinct maxima and steps atn=3, 7, 9, 13 and 19 for Li, and atn=3, 5, 11, 13 and 19 for Na. Mass spectra of Si, Ge and Sn clusters were very similar each other, showing intensity drops aftern=4 and 6 (and alson=10 for Ge) for singly charged clusters. The magic numbers observed are discussed in terms of stability of charged clusters.     

Preparation of complexes formed in the reaction between diironnanocarbonyl and tetraalkyl(phenyl)diphosphine disulfides,R2P(S)P(S)R2 (R=Et,n -Pr,n -Bu,Ph)

Fe₂(CO)₉ and R₂P(S)P(S)R₂ (R = Et, n-Pr, n-Bu, Ph) react to form two types of cluster complexes Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-S)₂ (1), Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SPR₂)₂ (2A)–(2D), [2A, R = Et; 2B, R = n-Pr; 2C, R = n-Bu; 2D, R = Ph]. The complexes result from phosphorus–phosphorus bond scission; in the former sulfur abstraction has also occurred. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and ³¹P-[¹H]-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.     

Fragmentation by electron impact ionization and intracluster reactions of size selected (N2H4) n and (OCS) n clusters

The hydrogen-bonded (N₂H₄) _n clusters and the van der Waals (OCS) _n clusters are size selected in a scattering experiment with a He beam up to the cluster sizen=6. By measuring the angular distributions of the scattered clusters the complete fragmentation pattern of electron impact ionization is obtained. For Hydrazine the two main fragment masses are the protonated species (N₂H₄) _n?1H⁺ and with somewhat weaker intensities also the nominal ion mass (N₂H₄) _n ⁺ . The largest intensity is observed for the monomer ion N₂H ₄ ⁺ to which clusters up ton=5 fragment. For carbonylsulfide, completely different results are obtained. Aside from the fragments of the OCS monomer and the van der Waals cluster fragments (OCS) ₂ ⁺ and (OCS) ₃ ⁺ signals at mass S ₂ ⁺ , S ₃ ⁺ and S₂OCS⁺ are detected. This indicates a fast chemical reaction in the cluster according to: S + OCS → CO + S₂ which occurs for clusters of sizen ≥ 2. Peaks at S ₃ ⁺ and S₂OCS⁺ are seen for the first time forn ≥ 5 according to a further reaction of S₂ in the cluster.     

Elastic and reactive collisions of atoms and molecules with neutral alkali clusters

We have measured absolute integral cross sections for low-energy collisions of atoms and molecules with neutral sodium clusters over a wide cluster size range (n=2–40). The cross sections are exceptionally large, reaching values of thousands of square angstroms. Consequently, the scattering involves long-range interactions. The van der Waals force, acting either alone (Na_n+N₂) or in concert with the inelastic charge-transfer “harpooning” channel (Na_n+Cl₂, Na_n+O₂) can describe the measurements. Using interaction parameters taken from spectroscopic studies of alkali clusters, we find very good agreement with the data. This provides a point of contact between beam scattering experiments and studies of cluster electromagnetic response properties.     

Les systèmes MFTlF3 (M = Li,Na, K)

A large number of new phases have been prepared and characterized in the MFTlF₃ system: Na₃TlF₆ isostructural with cryolite, Na₃Tl₂F₉, Na_xTl_1−xF_3−2x (0.425 ? x ? 0.565 at 500°C) and Na₅Tl₉F₃₂ related to the fluorite type, K₃TlF₆ with a structure similar to that of (NH₄)₃FeF₆, K₅Tl₃F₁₄ with the chiolite structure, Na_yTl_1−yF_3−2y (0.12 ? y ? 0.14 at 500°C) and K₂Tl₇F₂₃ affiliated to α-UO₃, KTlF₄, and KTl₂F₇.     

Electronic structures and stabilities of sodium clusters: jellium-sphere dimer calculation

Bonding properties of sodium-cluster dimers, (X ₄)₂ and (X ₈)₂, whereX _n is a jellium sphere corresponding to a cluster ofn atoms, were investigated by the linear-combination-of-jellium-orbitals method with local-spin-density-functional approximation. The stability ofn=8 clusters, observed in the experiment, is discussed in relation to the binding properties of dimers. We have found that (1) the (X ₄)₂ bonding has a covalent character, which makes theX ₈ formation favorable, and (2)X ₈ has an inert property because the force between jellium spheres in (X ₈)₂ is due to a weak dispersion force.