Note: Deperturbation of the ν3 band of BeD2

High rotational levels of the 001 (Σ(u)) state of BeD(2) are perturbed by the nearby 03(3)0 (Φ(u)) state. Deperturbation analysis results in an experimental value for the vibrational energy of the 030 level.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of new emission systems of NbN in the visible region

The emission spectrum of NbN has been reinvestigated in the 8000-35 000  cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer and two groups of new bands were observed. The bands observed in the 18 000-20 000 cm⁻¹ region have been assigned to a new ³Π-X³Δ transition. Three bands with R heads near 19 463.8, 19 659.0 and 19 757.0 cm⁻¹ have been assigned as 0-0 bands of the ³Π₂-X³Δ₃, ³Π₁-X³Δ₂ and ³Π_0±-X³Δ₁ subbands, respectively, of this new transition. Three additional ΔΩ = 0 bands have been observed in the 24 000-26 000  cm⁻¹ region. A 0-0 band with an R head near 25 409.9 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as a ΔΩ = 0 transition having X³Δ₂ as its lower state while two additional bands with heads near 25 518.7 and 25 534.8 cm⁻¹ were found to be ΔΩ = 0 bands having X³Δ₁ as the common lower state. Two of these three bands are perhaps subbands of a ³Δ-X³Δ transition. Most of the excited levels are affected by perturbations.     

Study on particle removal efficiency of an impinging jet by an image-processing method

 An image-processing method is proposed to obtain the distribution of the removal efficiency of particles on a plate by an air jet. This method can be used to measure particle removal from a flat surface by processing the image of the reflected light from the surface. Factors affecting the particle removal efficiency such as air pressure, distance between the nozzle and the impinging surface and the impinging angle are discussed. Optimal conditions are determined to obtain the most effective particle removal by the air jet. Received: 10 April 2001 / Accepted: 2 August 2001     

High resolution laser excitation spectroscopy of the B2E-X2A1 transitions of calcium and strontium monoborohydride

High resolution spectra of the B2E-X2A1 transitions of CaBH4 and SrBH4 have been recorded using laser excitation spectroscopy in a laser ablation/molecular jet source. Because of rotational cooling in the molecular jet and nuclear spin statistics, transitions arising from only the K'=1<--K"=0, K'=2<--K"=1, and K'=0<--K"=1 subbands have been observed. For each molecule, an analysis of the data using 2E and 2A1 symmetric top Hamiltonians yielded rotational, spin-orbit, and spin-rotation parameters for the observed states. For both molecules the rotational constants compare well with those calculated for a tridentate borohydride structure. A large reduction in the spin-orbit splitting and in the metal-ligand separation for each molecule indicates an increase in the amount of d atomic orbital character in the first excited 2E states of the monoborohydrides as compared to the monomethyl derivatives. For each molecule no evidence of internal rotation of the BH4- ligand was found. A change in the magnitude and sign of the spin-rotation constant epsilon1 confirms an energy reordering of the first excited 2E and 2A1 states in both CaBH4 and SrBH4 as compared to CaCH3 and SrCH3. The data also suggest that the B2E1/2 rotational energy levels of CaBH4 may be perturbed by a vibronic component of the A2A1 state.     

The onset of coulomb explosions in polyatomic molecules

With the development of high intensity femtosecond lasers, the ionisation and dissociation dynamics of molecules has become an area of considerable interest. Using the technique of femtosecond laser mass spectrometry (FLMS), the molecules carbon disulphide, pyrimidine, toluene, cyclohexanone and benzaldehyde are studied with pulse widths of 50 fs in the near infrared (IR) wavelength region (790 nm). Results are presented and contrasted for laser beam intensities around 10(15) and 10(16) W cm(-2). For the lower intensities, the mass spectra yield dominant singly charged parent ions. Additionally, the appearance of doubly charged parent ions is evident for carbon disulphide, toluene and benzaldehyde with envelopes of doubly charged satellite species existing in these local regions. Carbon disulphide also reveals a small triply charged component. Such atomic-like features are thought to be a strong fingerprint of FLMS at these intensities. However, upon increasing the laser intensity to approximately 10(16) W cm(-2), parent ion dominance decreases and the appearance of multiply charged atomic species occurs, particularly carbon. This phenomenon has been attributed to Coulomb explosions in which the fast absorption of many photons may produce transient highly ionised parent species which can subsequently blow apart. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stable isotopic studies of earthworm feeding ecology in tropical ecosystems of Puerto Rico

Feeding strategies of earthworms and their influence on soil processes are often inferred from morphological, behavioral and physiological traits. We used (13)C and (15)N natural abundance in earthworms, soils and plants to explore patterns of resource utilization by different species of earthworms in three tropical ecosystems in Puerto Rico. In a high altitude dwarf forest, native earthworms Trigaster longissimus and Estherella sp. showed less (15)N enrichment ((15)N = 3-6 per thousand) than exotic Pontoscolex corethrurus ((15)N =7-9 per thousand) indicating different food sources or stronger isotopic discrimination by the latter. Conversely, in a lower altitude tabonuco forest, Estherella sp. and P. corethrurus overlapped completely in (15)N enrichment ((15)N = 6-9 per thousand), suggesting the potential for interspecific competition for N resources. A tabonuco forest converted to pasture contained only P. corethrurus which were less enriched in (15)N than those in the forest sites, but more highly enriched in (13)C suggesting assimilation of C from the predominant C(4) grass. These results support the utility of stable isotopes to delineate resource partitioning and potential competitive interactions among earthworm species. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uniform molecular analysis using femtosecond laser mass spectrometry

The potential of femtosecond laser time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FLMS) for uniform quantitative analysis of molecules has been investigated. Various samples of molecular gases and vapours have been studied, using ultra-fast ( approximately 50 fs) laser pulses with very high intensity (up to 1.6 x 10(16) Wcm(-2)) for non-resonant multiphoton ionisation/tunnel ionisation. Some of these molecules have high ionisation potentials, requiring up to ten photons for non-resonant ionisation. The relative sensitivity factors (RSF) have been determined as a function of the laser intensity and it has been demonstrated that for molecules with very different masses and ionisation potentials, uniform ionisation has been achieved at the highest laser intensities. Quantitative laser mass spectrometry of molecules is therefore a distinct possibility. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High resolution laser excitation spectroscopy of barium monosulfide

High-resolution spectra of BaS were recorded using laser excitation spectroscopy. BaS molecules were synthesized in a Broida-type oven. The observed rotationally-resolved spectrum of BaS in the 12 100–12 765 cm^?1 spectral range contains the 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 5-2, 5-3 vibrational bands of the A′¹Π–X¹Σ⁺ transition and the 4-1, 5-1, 5-2 vibrational bands of the a³Π₁–X¹Σ⁺ transition. Approximately 1000 lines of the A′¹Π–X¹Σ⁺ transition and 600 lines of the a³Π₁–X¹Σ⁺ transition for the main isotopologue ¹³⁸Ba³²S (67.5% natural abundance) were measured. Rotational and vibrational parameters were derived for the A′¹Π and a³Π₁ states.     

Infrared absorption cross sections for propane (C3H8) in the 3 μm region

Infrared absorption cross sections for propane have been measured in the 3 μm spectral region from spectra recorded using a high-resolution FTIR spectrometer (Bruker IFS 125 HR). The spectra of mixtures of propane with dry synthetic air were recorded at 0.015 cm⁻¹ resolution (calculated as 0.9/MOPD using the Bruker definition of resolution), at a number of temperatures and pressures appropriate for atmospheric conditions. Intensities were calibrated using two propane spectra (recorded at 278 and 293 K) taken from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) IR database.