Diagnosis of OH radical by optical emission spectroscopy in a wire-plate bi-directional pulsed corona discharge

The emission spectrum of the molecule OH (A²Σ→X²Π, 0–0) during a high-voltage, bi-directional pulsed corona discharge consisting of a gas mixture of N₂ and H₂O in a wire-plate reactor has been successfully recorded under severe electromagnetic interference at atmospheric pressure. The relative vibrational populations and the vibrational temperature of N₂ (C, v′) have also been determined. Due to the difficulty of determining the exact overlapping spectral line shape function of the OH (A²Σ→X²Π, 0–0) and the Δv=+1 vibrational transition band of N₂ (C³Π_u→B³Π_g), a practicable Gaussian form is used for calculating the emission intensity of OH (A²Σ→X²Π, 0-0) and the Δv=+1 vibrational transition band of N₂ (C³Π_u→B³Π_g). The emission intensity of OH (A²Σ→X²Π, 0–0) has been evaluated with a satisfactory accuracy by subtracting the emission intensity of the Δv=+1 vibrational transition band of N₂ (C³Π_u→B³Π_g) from the overlapping spectra. The relative population of OH (A²Σ) has been obtained by the emission intensity of OH (A²Σ→X²Π, 0–0) and Einstein's transition probability. The influences of peak voltage, pulse repetition rate and O₂ flow rate on the relative population of OH (A²Σ) radicals have also been investigated. We found that the relative population of OH (A²Σ) rises with an increase in both the peak applied voltage and the pulse repetition rate. When oxygen is added to an N₂ and H₂O gas mixture, the relative population of OH (A²Σ) radicals decreases exponentially with an increase in added oxygen. The main physicochemical processes involved are also discussed in this paper.     

Continuous wave optically pumped iodine laser: Spectroscopy and long range analysis of the X1Σg+ ground state of I2

Continuous wave oscillation is observed on transitions belonging to the I₂B 0_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system into highly excited vibrational levels of the ground state. The I₂ laser is optically pumped with a single longitudinal mode argon ion laser oscillating at either 514.5 or 501.7 nm resulting in some 752 assigned laser lines throughout the visible and near infrared. Of these, 44 transitions have 83 ≤ v″ ≤ 96 and are used here to obtain rotational and vibrational constants for levels of X¹Σ_g⁺ near the dissociation limit. A long range analysis applying the theory of LeRoy to the highest observed levels yields C₆ = 1.1 ± 0.1 × 10⁶ cm^?1 Å^?6 and indicates that the last bound vibrational level of X¹Σ_g⁺ has v = 114.     

Spontaneous radiative dissociation in molecular hydrogen

The spontaneous radiative dissociations of the discrete vibrational levels of the B¹Σ⁺_u electronic states of H₂, HD and D₂ of the C¹Π_u electronic state of H₂ into the vibrational continuum of the ground X¹Σ⁺_g state are calculated as a function of the emission wavelength. The fluorescent spectra of HD in the Lyman system and of H₂ in the Werner system resulting from an excitation source uniform in wavelength are predicted. The vibrational radiative lifetimes are tabulated as are the fractions of radiative decays that lead to dissociation. The effects of centrifugal distortion are discussed briefly. An appendix describes a sum rule used to check the numerical accuracy of the calculations.     

Ab initio calculation of transition dipole moments for transitions between valence states in oxygen molecules

Results of ab initio calculations of potential-energy curves for 20 singlet and 20 triplet valence states of oxygen with configuration interaction taken into account in the 6-31G basis are presented. Transition dipole moments of triplet-triplet (1³Π_g ← B ³Σ _u ^? , 1³Π_g ← A ³Σ _u ⁺ , 1³Π_g ← A′ ³Δ_u, B ³Σ _u ^? ← X ³Σ _g ^? , 2³Π_u ← 1³Π _g, 2³Σ _g ^? ← B ³Σ _u ^? , 1³Π_u ← X ³Σ _g ^? , 2³Π_u ← X ³Σ _g ^? , 2³Π _g ← A′³Δ_u, 3³Π_g ← A′ ³Δ _u, 2³Δ_u ← 2³Π_g, 3³Π_g ← B ³Σ _u ^? , and 2³Π_g ← A ³Σ _u ⁺ ) and singlet-singlet (2¹Σ _g ⁺ ← 2¹Π_u, 2¹Π_u ← 1¹Π ^g, ¹Π_u ← 2¹Δ_g, 1¹Π_g ← c ¹Σ _u ^? , ¹Π_u ← b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , 1¹Δ _u ← a ¹Δ_g, 2¹Π_u ← a ¹Δ_g, 2¹Δ_g ← 1¹Δ_u, ¹Π _u ← a ¹Δ _g, 1¹Π_u ← b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , 2¹Π_g ← 1¹Π_u, 2¹Π _g ← c ¹Σ _u ^? , 1¹Δ _u ← 1¹Π _g, f′Σ _u ⁺ ← b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , 2¹Σ _g ⁺ ← f ′¹Σ _u ⁺ , 3¹Π_g ← 1¹Δ_u) radiative transitions are calculated as functions of internuclear separation. The possibility of observing these transitions under experimental conditions is discussed.     

Matrix isolation of Mg2 and Mgn molecules in neon,argon, and nitrogen hosts

The Mg₂ and Mg_n molecules have been formed and studied in neon, argon, and nitrogen matrices at approximately 4° and 12 K. Bands observed between 2000 and 3500 Å have been investigated as a function of gradual changes in trapping conditions and assigned to various stages of magnesium atom polymerization. The A¹Σ_u⁺ ← X¹Σ_g⁺ system of Mg₂ relative to the gas exhibits a pronounced red shift which increases with the polarizability of the matrix host. A band at 2653 Å in argon was observed which can be tentatively assigned to another Mg₂ system.     

Laser transitions among the C1Πu, 31Σg+, A1Σu+, and X1Σg+ states of Na2

Intense infrared stimulated lines at wavelengths around 2.5 μm have been observed upon excitation of Na₂ by uv radiation from a frequency-doubled narrow-band dye laser. Frequencies of these IR lines have been measured when the pump laser was tuned to C¹Π_u ← X¹Σ_g⁺ assigned transitions in the wavelength range 331–334 nm. High-resolution spectroscopy measurements of the involved rovibrational levels of both C¹Π_u and 3¹Σ_g⁺ electronic states allow the unambiguous assignment of these IR laser lines to C¹Π_u → 3¹Σ_g⁺ transitions.     

Observation of the c3Πu-X1Σg+ intersystem transition in the absorption spectrum of P2

The observation of the c³Π_u-X¹Σ_g⁺ intersystem transition of P₂ is reported. The 6-0 band of the system was identified on high resolution absorption plates teken on the NRC 10-m vacuum spectrograph at Ottawa. A rotational analysis of the band is given together with that of the adjacent 5-0 band of the C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system, the upper level of which is involved in a mutual perturbation with the c³Π_u, v = 6 level. The interaction parameters for the perturbation are derived. It is proposed that the appearance of the 6-0 band of the c³Π_u-X¹Σ_g⁺ transition is due to intensity borrowing from the strong, allowed C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system. Accurate values for the energies of the c³Π_u, b³Π_g, and a³Σ_u⁺ states relative to the ground state are given. The analysis of two other bands, 2-0 and 7-0, of the C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system whose upper levels likewise interact strongly with the c³Π_u state are also given.     

Studies on the Vibrational and Rovibrational Energies and Vibrational Force Constants of Diatomic Molecular States Using Algebraic and Variational Methods

Alternative expressions for vibrational and rotational spectrum constants and energies of diatomic molecular electronic states based on perturbation theory are suggested. An algebraic method (AM) is proposed to generate a converged full vibrational spectrum from limited energy data, and a potential variational method (PVM) is suggested to produce the vibrational force constants f_n and rotational spectrum constants using the perturbation formulae and the AM vibrational constants. The AM and PVM have been applied to study 10 diatomic electronic states: the X¹Σ_g⁺ and C¹Π_u⁻ states of H₂; the X¹Σ_g⁺, A³Σ_u⁺, B′³Σ_u⁻, and B³Π_g states of N₂; the X³Σ_g⁻, A³Σ_u⁺, and c¹Σ_u⁻ states of O₂; and the X¹Σ_g⁺ state of Br₂. Calculations show that (1) the AM E_υmax converges to the correct molecular dissociation energy; (2) the AM not only reproduce the input energies, but also generate the E_υ's of high vibrational excited states which may be difficult to obtain experimentally or theoretically; (3) the PVM vibrational force constants f_n may be used to measure the relative chemical bondstrengths of different diatomic electronic states for a molecule quantitatively.     

Absorption spectrum of C2 molecules near 1.06 μm

An intracavity laser spectrometer has been used to study the laser-spark absorption spectrum of C₂ radicals near 1.06 μm. The spectra recorded have been assigned, and the rotational lines of the transitions 3-0, 4-1, and 5-2 b ³Σ _g ^? -a ³Π _u and 2-1 and 1-0 A ¹Π _u -X ¹Σ _g ⁺ have been identified. The vibrational and rotational temperatures have been determined.     

Laser absorption spectroscopy of the A1Σu+-X1Σg+(v′, v″) bands of Na2

Laser absorption spectra of the band system A¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺(v′,v″) of Na₂ in the range between 16835 and 16960 cm^?1 are analyzed. The spectra are free of first-order-Doppler broadening at low internal temperature. Rotational and vibrational assignments of 10 bands are reported. Rotational and vibrational levels, especially the (22, 1) band, are found to be perturbed by the b³Π_u state. The band origins and line frequencies calculated from previously reported constants do not reproduce the observed values. The disagreement between the calculated and observed values is discussed. More accurate constants are needed to predict the line locations.     

Ab initio calculation of the He2 A 1Σ u +└X 1Σ g + absorption spectrum

The absorption spectrum of helium gas near 600 Å, assigned to the A ¹Σ _u ⁺└X ¹Σ _g ⁺ transition in He₂, is calculated at 77 K. The excited state potential is taken from a recent ab initio calculation. The theoretical spectrum shows well-defined bands, corresponding to different vibration levels of the A state, with diffuse rotational structure, in agreement with experiment. Fairly good quantitative agreement with Tanaka and Yoshino's measured spectrum is obtained, except for the somewhat too large separation between calculated vibrational bands, probably due to the theoretical potential for the A state rising too steeply at small inter-nuclear separation. Rotational constants derived from the calculated and experimental spectra are in good agreement. It is shown that they are significantly smaller than actual rotational constants of the upper state.     

Investigation of N 2 + (C 2Σ u + → X 2Σ g + fluorescence excited through auger decay of the 1s −1π* resonance

A theoretical investigation of N ₂ ⁺ (C ²Σ _u ⁺ → X ²Σ _g ⁺ molecular fluorescence excited through the Auger decay of the 1s ^?1π* resonance is carried out. The fluorescence cross sections are calculated with due regard for the dependence of the matrix element of the C → X dipole transition on the internuclear distance, the interference between channels of excitation via different vibrational levels v _r of the 1s ^?1π* resonance, the rotational structure of the fluorescence band, and the predissociation of the N ₂ ⁺ C ²Σ _u ⁺ v′ ≥3) states. The calculated cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental results of recent measurements. The results of the calculations have demonstrated that the observed dependence of the cross section of the (C ²Σ _u ⁺ (v′) → X ²Σ _g ⁺ (v″) fluorescence on the excitation energy and the fluorescence wavelength for a group of bands with equal values of the difference Δv = v′ ? v″ is associated with transitions between the vibrational levels of the electronic states involved in the excitation and subsequent cascade decay of the 1s ^?1π* resonance: N₂ (v ₀ = 0) → N*₂(1s ^?1π*(v _r)) ? N ₂ ⁺ : (C ²Σ _u ⁺ (v′) → X ²Σ _g ⁺ (v″).     

The lowest s Rydberg complex of CIF: c3Πi and C1Π

The absorption spectrum of CIF in the region 1400-1290 Å has been photographed at a dispersion of 0.18 Å/mm. The spectrum consists of bands degraded to shorter wavelengths and arises from transitions to the four components c³Π₂, c³Π₁, c³Π₀, and C¹Π₁ of the first s Rydberg complex built on the X²Π_i core of CIF⁺. Strong spin-orbit interactions distort the spin splitting of the triplet state and produce an unusual intensity distribution in the weak c³Π₀ ← X¹Σ⁺ transition. Upper state vibrational and rotational constants are given for the more abundant isotope ³⁵CIF.     

The origin of K2, Rb2 and Cs2 triplet 13Πg−X3Σ+u bands in discharge

The absorption and emission spectra of potassium, rubidium and caesium low-pressure discharges have been studied at the far blue wings of resonance D2-lines. The observed diffuse bands were attributed to the 1³Π_g?X³Σ⁺_u transition. Experiments revealed the recombination ²P + ²S nature of these bands, and the corresponding rate coefficients were obtained. Energies of the higher excited states as well as the X³Σ⁺_u -state well depths for K₂, Rb₂ and Cs₂ molecules were estimated.     

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of GeO in rare gas matrices

The absorption spectra of GeO isolated in rare gas matrices have been investigated in the wavelength region 1150–3000 Å using the 2.5-GeV synchrotron in Bonn as a continuum light source. Two vibrational progressions of bands have been found in each of the matrices, in neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. These progressions are situated in the regions 2400–2700 and 1800–2100 Å. They have been analyzed as corresponding to gas-phase bands of the A¹Π-X¹Σ⁺ and the E¹Σ⁺-X¹Σ⁺ systems, respectively. Absorption lines of matrix-isolated GeO were also found in the region 1180–1500 Å.     

The Hg2 (A3Ou− → X1Σg+) and (A31u → X1Σg+) fluorescence

The fine structure emission sepctrum near 5500 Å attributed to the Hg₂ (A³O_u^? → X¹Σ_g⁺) transition is shown to be strikingly similar to the HgCl (B²Σ⁺ → X²Σ⁺) emission spectrum sensitized by Hg(6³P_o) metastables. The correct Hg₂ (A³O_u^? → X¹Σ_g⁺) emission spectrum at 4850 Å was re-examined and confirmed to be a continuous one. It is suggested that the fine structure arose from the sensitization of a chlorine containing impurity.     

High-lying <Superscript>1</Superscript>P° doubly-excited states of H<Superscript>-</Superscript> and He below the N = 3–13 hydrogenic thresholds

An experimental study of the long range behavior of the ground state X¹Σ⁺ _g of Sr₂ is performed by high resolution spectroscopy of asymptotic vibrational levels and the use of available photoassociation data. Ground state levels as high as v’’=60 (outer turning point at 23 Å and 0.1 cm^-1 below the asymptote) could be observed by Fourier-transform spectroscopy of fluorescence progressions induced by single frequency laser excitation of the v’=4, J’=9 rovibrational level of the state 2¹Σ⁺ _u. A precise value of the scattering length for the isotopologue ⁸⁸Sr₂ is derived and transferred to all other isotopic combinations by mass scaling with the given potential. The derived potential together with already published information about the state 2¹Σ⁺ _u directs to promising optical paths for producing cold molecules in the electronic ground state from an ultracold ensemble of Sr atoms.     

Comparison of photoelectron intensities and Franck-Condon factors in the photoionization of H2, HD and D2

The relative intensities of vibrational bands corresponding to the photoionization reactionX¹Σ_g⁺(υ″ = 0) + hv → X²Σ_g⁺(υ′ = 0, 1, 2 …) + e^? have been measured for H₂, HD and D₂, using He I radiation and a cylindrical mirror analyzer. These relative intensities differ significantly from squared overlap integrals (Franck-Condon factors) based on accurate potential curves for X¹Σ_g⁺ and X²Σ_g⁺, but are in good agreement with calculations performed by Itikawa which include the variation of transition moment with internuclear distance and the kinetic energy of the departing electron.     

The optical spectrum of the doubly charged molecular nitrogen ion: Rotational analysis of the (0-0) and (1-1) bands of the D1Σu+-X1Σg+ transition of N22+: Comparison of observations with Ab-initio calculation results

Emission spectra obtained in the 1550–1650 Å region with a 10-m vuv spectrograph are conclusively assigned to the N₂²⁺ ion. The 1589-Å band, previously observed by Carroll, and a new band of the same system, have been rotationally analyzed. Ab-initio calculations have been performed which support the assignment of these two bands to the D¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system. The calculations also explain the observed breaking-off points in the branch structure as well as weakening and broadening of the other expected bands. These phenomena arise from electron configuration changes and perturbation effects in the ground state.     

A study of electron impact excitation of molecular oxygen at a scattering angle of 180°

Excitation of molecular oxygen by electron impact has been observed at the backward scattering angle of 180°. For these studies a new solenoid system with a conical geometry has been designed to implement the angle-changing technique. Energy loss spectra have been measured to deduce differential cross-sections for vibrational excitation of the X³Σ_g⁻ ground state and excitation of the a¹Δ_g state at 180°. Excitation of the b¹Σ_g⁺ state has not been observed at 180° in agreement with the theoretically predicted selection rule Σ⁻←↦Σ⁺ at that angle.