Beam-foil spectroscopy in the 3–6 nm soft-X-ray range

A grazing-incidence spectrometer for the wavelength range λ≦13 nm has been built and tested with foil-excited fast oxygen ions. The new apparatus has been used to study the variation of the 2s 3p ³ P ₁ ⁰ level lifetime in the Be isoelectronic sequence by observation of the intercombination decay to the 2s ^{2 1} S ₀ ground state. The experimental problems are described. The results agree with only some of the theoretical predictions.     

Angular distributions of photoelectrons in resonantly enhanced multiphoto ionization via the 7s[1 1/2]0 1 and 8s[1 1/2]0 1 states of Xe

Photoelectron angular distributions have been measured for the three-photon resonant one-photon ionization, (3+1), of Xe via the 7s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ and 8s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ states. The results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of Tang and Lambropoulos [13] for the 8s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁, but not for the 7s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ state. Furthermore, the results are compared to those which have been obtained by Blazewicz et al. [1] for the three-photon resonant two-photon ionization, (3+2), of Xe via the 6s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ state.     

Wavelength and lifetime data on intercombination transitions in the Si I isoelectronic sequence: Ni14+ and Cu15+

The 3s ²3p ^{2 3} P _{1, 2}–3s3p ^{3 5} S ₂ ⁰ transitions in Ni¹⁴⁺ and Cu¹⁵⁺ have been identified in beam-foil spectra. The wavelengths have been measured (41.700±0.01 nm/43.998±0.01 nm for Ni¹⁴⁺, 38.76±0.03 nm/41.02±0.02 nm for Cu¹⁵⁺) in delayed spectra. For the first time in this isoelectronic sequence the lifetime of the⁵ S ₂ ⁰ level has been determined (Ni: 33±5 ns, Cu: 22±3 ns). Experimental problems are discussed. The results are compared with theoretical data.     

Accurate ab initio determination of the van der Waals interaction in the X 2Σ+ ground state of LiHe

Accurate quantum-chemical ab initio calculations have been performed at the SCF and CEPA (coupled electron pair approximation) levels for the van der Waals interaction in the X ² Σ ⁺ ground state of LiHe. An extended basis set has been used and the counterpoise correction for the basis set superposition error (BSSE) has been applied. The calculated potential energy curve has a very shallow minimum at 11.56 a ₀ with a well depth of only 1.49 cm^?1. This is too small to allow for a bound vibrational level. The analysis of the results shows that the interaction mainly consists of the Pauli repulsion between Li(1s ²2s) and He (1s ²), which is decaying exponentially, and the attractive London dispersion energy. Van der Waals coefficients C₆, C₈, and C₁₀ have been determined by a least squares fit to the long-range part of the calculated potential curve.     

Precision energies and hyperfine structures of the 5s5p 3 P 0,1,2 0 and 5s6s 3 S 1 levels in In II

Absolute frequencies of hyperfine components of the 230.6 nm (5s ^{2 1} S ₀?5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ ), 193.6 nm (5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁), 197.7 nm (5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁) and 207.9 nm (5s5p ³ P ₂ ⁰ ?5s6s ³ S ₁) transitions in In II emitted from a hollow-cathode source have been measured using a high-resolution, scanning échelle monochromator. The measured frequencies of these four transitions have been used to determine the energies and hyperfine interaction constants of the 5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ,³ P ₁ ⁰ ,³ P ₂ ⁰ and 5s6s ³ S ₁ levels in In II. The hyperfine interaction constants for the dominant isotope¹¹⁵In are found to be: 5s5p ³ P ₁ ⁰ A=0.2322(2) cm^?1,B=?0.0159(9) cm^?1 5s5p ³ P ₂ ⁰ A=0.1699(4) cm^?1,B= 0.021 (6) cm^?1 5s6s ³ S ₁ A=0.4022(4) cm^?1,B= 0.002 (2) cm^?1. The absolute frequency of the very narrow, strongly forbidden In II 236.5 nm (5s ^{2 1} S ₀?5s5p ³ P ₀ ⁰ ) transition, which has been proposed as a candidate for a new optical frequency standard, is found to be 42275.986(7) cm^?1.     

Stark-mixing effect on the 6p 2 1 S 0−6p 2 3 P 2 transition in Pb I

The intensity of the 531.5 nm electric-field-quench radiation has been measured on a thermal beam of neutral Pb atoms in the metastable 6p ^{2 1} S ₀ state. The measurement yields a Stark-mixing amplitude for transition between the 6p ^{2 1} S ₀ and 6p ^{2 3} P ₂ states. Combining this result with available experimental data sets an upper limit for the 6p 7s ³ P ₁ → 6p ^{2 1} S ₀ transition probability:A _ki <1.79·10³ s ^?1. Calculations for the 6p 7s → 6p ² and 6p 8s → 6p ², as well as transition rates of forbidden lines inside 6p ² configuration of PbI are presented and compared with existing experimental data.     

Dielectronic recombination of lithium-like Ar15+

Dielectronic recombination (DR) of Ar¹⁵⁺(1s ²2s) ions was studied in a single-pass merged-beams experiment at the UNILAC (universal linear accelerator) of GSI. Absolute recombination rates and cross sections were measured for electron-ion center-of-mass energies from 0 to 580 eV. A number of Rydberg states formed by DR with 2s → 2p (Δn=0) and 2s → 3? (Δn=1) core excitations and even individual terms in the 1s ²3?3?′ configuration could be resolved. Theoretical calculations of DR cross sections are in good overall agreement with the data. In the calculations for Δn=0 transitions, effects of electric fields have to be included to reproduce the magnitude of the measured DR rates at the limit of the 2 _{p 1/2}? and 2 _{p 3/2}? Rydberg series. Discrepancies between theory and experiment are observed at the series limits of the (1s ²3?n?′) Rydberg series.     

Intercombination lines of Mg I-, Al I- and Si I-like ions in the beam foil spectra of Ti,Fe, Ni and Cu

In delayed spectra of foil-excited beams of Ti, Fe, Ni and Cu ions lines have been observed which are identified with intercombination transitions 3s ^{2 1} S ₀ — 3s 3p ³ P ₁ ⁰ , 3s ² 3p ² P ⁰ — 3s 3p ^{2 4} P and 3s ² 3p ^{2 3} P — 3s 3p ^{3 5} S ₂ ⁰ in magnesiumlike, aluminiumlike and siliconlike spectra, resp. Wavelengths and decay properties have been determined. The results are compared to recent theoretical predictions.     

Electrochemical reactions with protonations at equilibrium: Part X. The kinetics of the p-benzoquinone/hydroquinone couple on a platinum electrode

The kinetics of the p-benzoquinone/hydroquinone Q/QH₂ couple on a platinum electrode are analysed on the basis of the theory presented earlier (E. Laviron, J. Electroanal. Chem., 146 (1983) 15) for the nine-member square scheme when the protonations are assumed to be at equilibrium, using experimental data from the literature. The square scheme is of the NN type. The Tafel plots and the variations of the experimental apparent rate constants between pH 0 and 7 are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. The heterogeneous rate constants found for the elemental electrochemical steps are as follow: Q Q^?, k_h3=1/6×10^?3 cm s^?1; QH^.QH^?, k_h5=0.11 cm s^?1; QH⁺QH^., k_h2?160 cm s^?1; k_h4 for the reaction QH₂^+.QH₂ is in the range 0.5–4 cm s^?1. Between pH 0 and 7, the reaction sequence during the reduction is, for the most part, successively H⁺e^?H⁺e^?, e^?H⁺H⁺e^?, and e^?H⁺e^?H⁺ (reverse sequence during the oxidation).     

A study of the reaction kinetics of electrogenerated superoxide ion with benzylbromide

The reaction kinetics between O₂^? and C₆H₅CH₂Br has been investigated in N,N′-dimethylformamide by electroanalytical techniques. A mechanism is proposed in which two molecules of the primary electrode product regenerate, via a following chemical reaction, one molecule of the original electroactive species. Furthermore, evidence for a S_N2 reaction mechanism between O₂^? and C₆H₅CH₂Br has been obtained. Second order rate constants resulted to be 11000 M^?1s^?1 and 3000 M^?1s^?1at room temperature and 0°C, respectively. The main products of the reaction were found to be benzylalcohol, benzaldehyde, benzene and biphenyl.     

Experimental and theoretical cross sections for photoionization of metastable Xe*. (6s 3 P 2, 3 P 0) atoms near threshold

Using high resolution laser photoelectron spectrometry we have determined absolute cross sections σJ ₀ J ₁ and the electron angular distribution parameter for one photon ionization of metastable Xe^*(6s ³ P _J0, J ₀ = 2, 0) atoms to the resolved Xe₊ (² P _J1, J ₁ = 3/2, 1/2) ion states at several wavelengths near threshold. For comparison with the present and future experimental data we have calculated partial cross sections and ß-parameters for photoionization of Xe^*(6s ³ P _J0, J ₀ = 2, 0) and of the analogous alkali atom Cs(6s) over the photoelectron energy range (0–5) eV. We have used both a term-dependent Pauli-Fock (PF) approach and a configuration interaction method involving Pauli-Fock atomic orbitals (CIPF). Through the PF method we include relativistic effects on the atomic orbitals; the CIPF method was designed to take into account the important electron correlation effects which are found to be essential for obtaining good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results.     

Etude du système Li0,5Ga2,5O4CuGa2O4 par spectrométrie IR et diffraction de neutrons

The phase diagram of the system (1 − s) Li_0·5Ga_2·5O₄−s CuGa₂O₄ has been established by quenching, DTA, X-ray diffraction at high temperature and IR spectrometry. The change from the disordered (space group P4₃32) to the ordered cubic form (space group Fd3m) is made by means of an extensive biphase (0·25 ⩽ s ⩽ 0·52). The thermal stability of copper and mixed gallates has been studied by thermogravimetric analyses. The spectrum of Cu²⁺ in spinels (0·8–2·5 μ, s ⩾ 0·54) discloses copper on A and B sites. The cation distribution is deduced from neutron diffraction.     

Kinetic study of the oxidative addition reaction between methyl iodide and [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)]: Structure of [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF3)(CO)(PPh3)(CH3)(I)]

The kinetics of oxidative addition of CH₃I to [Rh(FcCOCHCOCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)], where Fc = ferrocenyl and (FcCOCHCOCF₃)⁻ = fctfa = ferrocenoylacetonato, have been studied utilizing UV/Vis, IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR techniques. Three definite sets of reactions involving isomers of at least two distinctly different classes of Rh^III-alkyl and two different classes of Rh^III-acyl species were observed. Rate constants for this reaction in CHCl₃ at 25 °C, applicable to the reaction sequence below, were determined as k₁ = 0.00611(1) dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₋₁ = 0.0005(1) s⁻¹, k₃ = 0.00017(2) s⁻¹ and k₄ = 0.0000044(1) s⁻¹ while k₋₃ ? k₃ and k₋₄ ? k₄ but both ≠0. The indeterminable equilibrium K₂ was fast enough to be maintained during Rh^I depletion in the first set of reactions and during the Rh^IIIalkyl2 formation in the second set of reactions. From a ¹H and ³¹P NMR study in CDCl₃, K_c1 was found to be 0.68, K_c2 = 2.57, K_c3 = 1.00, K_c4 = 4.56 and K_c5 = 1.65.     

Configuration interaction in the 6s n d 1 D 2 and 6s n s 1 S 0 states of Yb probed by lifetime measurements

Radiative lifetimes in the even parity 6s n d ¹ D ₂ (n=6?13) and 6s n s ¹ S ₀ (n=8?14) level series of neutral Yb have been measured. In contrast to a monotonicn*³ behaviour which is expected in the absence of configuration interaction a drastic decrease of the lifetime data was observed in the vicinity of multiply excited states. In addition, for certain levels a strong increase of the lifetime values has been found which may be ascribed to destructive interference due to configuration mixing which can also affect the branching ratios of the radiative decay of these levels.     

Thermally induced incomplete high-spin (5T2) ⇌ low-spin (1A1) transition in solid bis[2-(2-pyridylamino)-4-(2-pyridyl) thiazolato]iron (II)

The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect in two samples (A and B) of [Fe(papt)₂] and in its solvates with CHCl₃ and C₆H₆ has been studied between 4.2 and 343 K and clearly indicates a temperature induced high-spin (⁵T₂) ? low-spin (¹A₁) transition in these compounds [paptH = 2-(2-pyridylamino)-4-(2-pyridyl) thiazole]. At 343 K, sample B shows a doublet with ΔE_Q = 2.03 mm s^?1 and δIS = +0.87 mm s^?1, characteristic of a ⁵T₂ ground state. At 257 K, a second doublet, typical for a ¹A₁ ground state, is observed and its intensity increases as the transition progresses but levels off below ～ 100 K. At 4.2 K, 83% of the intensity is due to the ¹A₁ state, and ΔE_Q(¹A₁) = 1.56 mm s^?1 and δ^IS(¹A₁ = +0.32 mm s^?1. In an applied magnetic field, V_zz(¹A₁) < 0 and η ≈ 0.7 have been determined, whereas for the ^sT₂ ground state, V_zz(^sT₂) > 0, η ≈ 0.75, and an internal hyperfine field H_n ≈ ?13 kG have been observed. Similar results have been obtained with the other samples.Debye-Waller factors f5_T2 and f1_A1 were determined from the saturation corrected areas in the Mössbauer spectra, assuming Curie-Weiss dependence of the magnetic susceptibility for the ⁵T₂ and constant υ_cff for the ¹A₁ ground state. The temperature dependence of ?In f1_A1 closely follows the Debye model with Θ1_A1 = 165 K, whereas the same applies to ?ln f5_T2 only above ～ 210 K and Θ5_T2 = 134 K. The nature of the observed transition is discussed and the data presented are shown to be incompatible with a model based on a Boltzmann distribution between the two states.     

Vapor pressures and enthalpies of vaporization of a series of 1- and 2-halogenated naphthalenes

Molar enthalpies of vaporization, Δ_l^gH_m⁰, of 1-methyl-naphthalene, 1-chloro-napthalene, 2-chloro-naphthalene, 1-bromo-naphthalene, 2-bromo-naphthalene, and 1-iodo-naphthalene, as well as molar enthalpies of sublimation, Δ_s^gH_m⁰, of 2-chloro-naphthalene and 2-bromo-naphthalene have been obtained from the temperature dependence of the vapor pressure determined with the transpiration method. These values and the correlation gas-chromatography method, based on the Kovat’s index, have been used to determine Δ_l^gH_m⁰ and Δ_s^gH_m⁰ of 2-iodo-naphthalene. Results obtained in this work have been compared with those from the literature and found consistent.     

Electrode kinetic studies of single electron charge transfer redox couples using the faradaic rectification method

Three single electron charge transfer redox reactions have been studied using the faradaic rectification method. The kinetic parameters obtained for the ferricyanide-ferrocyanide redox couple are α=0.49, k_a⁰=12×10^?2 cm s^?1; for the chromic-chromous system α=0.47, k_a⁰=2×10^?3 cm s^?1 and for the titanic-titanous reaction α=0.49 and k_a^o=6×10^?4 cm s^?1 at 27°C.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of radiative lifetimes in neutral gallium

Using laser spectroscopic techniques the natural radiative lifetimes of 4s ² n ₁ s ² S and 4s ² n ₂ d ² D states of neutral gallium have been measured forn ₁ = 6 to 11 andn ₂ = 4 to 9. These states, as well as previously measured4s ² np ² P states, have been investigated theoretically using multi-configuration Hartree-Fock calculations. Oscillator strengths to all lower-lying states have been calculated and theoretical lifetimes of the investigated states evaluated. The² D sequence is strongly influenced by the 4s4p ^{2 2} D perturber, and strong cancellation effects in the radiative decay are observed both theoretically and experimentally.     

Quest for experimental M1 and E1-intercombination transition probabilities in few-electron Xe ions

The experimental access to M1 transition probabilities within thens ² np ^k (1 ≦k ≦ 5) ground state configurations of highly ionized atoms is outlined. A test experiment on Xe^(45–50)+ yielded first spectra and decay curves of the 2s ^{2 1} S ₀ ? 2s2p ³ P ₁ ⁰ intercombination transition in Xe⁵⁰⁺ and of M1 transitions within the 2s ² 2p ^k (1 ≦k ≦ 5) ground configurations. The data compare well only with theoretical predictions which take the Lamb shift into account. Problems and prospects for better measurements are discussed.