Velocity map imaging in time of flight mass spectrometry

A new variation on time of flight mass spectrometry is presented, which uses a fast framing charge coupled device camera to velocity map image multiple product masses in a single acquisition. The technique is demonstrated on two photofragmentation processes, those of CS(2) and CH(3)S(2)CH(3) (dimethyldisulfide) at a photolysis wavelength of 193 nm. In both cases, several mass fragments are imaged simultaneously, and speed distributions and anisotropy parameters are extracted that are comparable to those obtained by imaging each fragment separately in conventional velocity map imaging studies.

[Subjective experience and disability work: qualitative analysis among 17 paraplegic patients]

This paper presents a phenomenological study illustrative how paraplegia may have a serious debilitating impact on the sufferer's subjective experience. Exploratory interviews were conducted with seventeen patients and the transcripts subjected to qualitative analysis. The interpretative phenomenological analysis points to the powerful ways in which paraplegia has negative impact on patients' experience and well-being. Some of the participants describe two major approaches of their situation: dimensional (the links between disability and society, others and self) and temporal (the "disability work"). The results section gives a detailed account of these processes at work. The results are then considered in relation to relevant constructs in the literature, including grief work, illness work and identity, adaptation and acceptance.

Photodissociation dynamics of OCS at 248nm: The S(D21) atomic angular momentum polarization

The dissociation of OCS has been investigated subsequent to excitation at 248 nm. Speed distributions, speed dependent translational anisotropy parameters, angular momentum alignment, and orientation are reported for the channel leading to S((1)D(2)). In agreement with previous experiments, two product speed regimes have been identified, correlating with differing degrees of rotational excitation in the CO coproducts. The velocity dependence of the translational anisotropy is also shown to be in agreement with previous work. However, contrary to previous interpretations, the speed dependence is shown to primarily reflect the effects of nonaxial recoil and to be consistent with predominant excitation to the 2 (1)A(') electronic state. It is proposed that the associated electronic transition moment is polarized in the molecular plane, at an angle greater than approximately 60 degrees to the initial linear OCS axis. The atomic angular momentum polarization data are interpreted in terms of a simple long-range interaction model to help identify likely surfaces populated during dissociation. Although the model neglects coherence between surfaces, the polarization data are shown to be consistent with the proposed dissociation mechanisms for the two product speed regimes. Large values for the low and high rank in-plane orientation parameters are reported. These are believed to be the first example of a polyatomic system where these effects are found to be of the same order of magnitude as the angular momentum alignment.

The photodissociation dynamics of OCS at 248nm: The S(PJ3) atomic angular momentum polarization

The dissociation of OCS has been investigated subsequent to excitation at 248 nm using velocity map ion imaging. Speed distributions, speed dependent translational anisotropy parameters, and the atomic angular momentum orientation and alignment are reported for the channel leading to S((3)P(J)). The speed distributions and beta parameters are in broad agreement with previous work and show behavior that is highly sensitive to the S-atom spin-orbit state. The data are shown to be consistent with the operation of at least two triplet production mechanisms. Interpretation of the angular momentum polarization data in terms of an adiabatic picture has been used to help identify a likely dissociation pathway for the majority of the S((3)P(J)) products, which strongly favors production of J=2 fragment atoms, correlated, it is proposed, with rotationally hot and vibrationally cold CO cofragments. For these fragments, optical excitation to the 2 (1)A(') surface is thought to constitute the first step, as for the singlet dissociation channel. This is followed by crossing, via a conical intersection, to the ground 1 (1)A(') state, from where intersystem crossing occurs, populating the 1 (3)A(')1 (3)A(")((3)Pi) states. The proposed mechanism provides a qualitative rationale for the observed spin-orbit populations, as well as the S((3)P(J)) quantum yield and angular momentum polarization. At least one other production mechanism, leading to a more statistical S-atom spin-orbit state distribution and rotationally cold, vibrationally hot CO cofragments, is thought to involve direct excitation to either the (3)Sigma(-) or (3)Pi states.

Fully quantum state-resolved inelastic scattering between He and NO(XΠ2)

Quantum mechanical close-coupling calculations have been used to obtain fully quantum state-resolved differential cross sections and opacity functions for the rotationally inelastic collisions of NO(X (2)Pi) with He at collision energies of 63 and 147 meV using the most recent ab initio potential energy surfaces of Kłos et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 112, 2195 (2000)]. Double peaks observed in the Lambda-doublet resolved differential cross sections are shown to be related to the presence of analogous peaks in the corresponding opacity functions. These structures can be linked directly to a specific expansion term in the potential, and reflect the fact that NO is not quite homonuclear.

Cumulative reaction probabilities: A comparison between quasiclassical and quantum mechanical results

This article presents a quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) method for determining the cumulative reaction probability (CRP) as a function of the total energy. The method proposed is based on a discrete sampling using integer values of the total and orbital angular momentum quantum numbers for each trajectory and on the development of equations that have a clear counterpart in the quantum mechanical (QM) case. The calculations comprise cumulative reaction probabilities at a given total angular momentum J, as well as those summed over J. The latter are used to compute QCT rate constants. The method is illustrated by comparing QCT and exact QM results for the H+H2, H+D2, D+H2, and H+HD reactions. The agreement between QCT and QM results is very good, with small discrepancies between the two data sets indicating some genuine quantum effects. The most important of these involves the value of the CRP at low energies which, due to the absence of tunneling, is lower in the QCT calculations, causing the corresponding rate constants to be smaller. The second is the steplike structure that is clearly displayed in the QM CRP for J = 0, which is much smoother in the corresponding QCT results. However, when the QCT density of reactive states, i.e., the derivatives of the QCT CRP with respect to the energy, is calculated, a succession of maxima and minima is obtained which roughly resembles those found in the QM calculations, although the latter are considerably sharper. The analysis of the broad peaks in the QCT density of reactive states indicates that the distributions of collision times associated with the maxima are somewhat broader, with a tail extending to larger collision times, than those associated with the minima. In addition, the QM and QCT dynamics of the isotopic variants mentioned above are compared in the light of their CRPs. Issues such as the compliance of the QCT CRP with the law of microscopic reversibility, as well as the similarity between the CRPs for ortho and para species in the QM and QCT cases, are also addressed.

The photodissociation dynamics of ozone at 193nm: An O(D21) angular momentum polarization study

Polarized laser photolysis, coupled with resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization detection of O(1D2) and velocity-map ion imaging, has been used to investigate the photodissociation dynamics of ozone at 193 nm. The use of multiple pump and probe laser polarization geometries and probe transitions has enabled a comprehensive characterization of the angular momentum polarization of the O(1D2) photofragments, in addition to providing high-resolution information about their speed and angular distributions. Images obtained at the probe laser wavelength of around 205 nm indicate dissociation primarily via the Hartley band, involving absorption to, and diabatic dissociation on, the B 1B2(3 1A1) potential energy surface. Rather different O(1D2) speed and electronic angular momentum spatial distributions are observed at 193 nm, suggesting that the dominant excitation at these photon energies is to a state of different symmetry from that giving rise to the Hartley band and also indicating the participation of at least one other state in the dissociation process. Evidence for a contribution from absorption into the tail of the Hartley band at 193 nm is also presented. A particularly surprising result is the observation of nonzero, albeit small values for all three rank K = 1 orientation moments of the angular momentum distribution. The polarization results obtained at 193 and 205 nm, together with those observed previously at longer wavelengths, are interpreted using an analysis of the long range quadrupole-quadrupole interaction between the O(1D2) and O2(1Deltag) species.

The photodissociation dynamics of NO2 at 308nm and of NO2 and N2O4 at 226nm

Velocity-map ion imaging has been applied to the photodissociation of NO(2) via the first absorption band at 308 nm using (2 + 1) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization detection of the atomic O((3)P(J)) products. The resulting ion images have been analyzed to provide information about the speed distribution of the O((3)P(J)) products, the translational anisotropy, and the electronic angular momentum alignment. The atomic speed distributions were used to provide information about the internal quantum-state distribution in the NO coproducts. The data were found to be consistent with an inverted NO vibrational quantum-state distribution, and thereby point to a dynamical, as opposed to a statistical dissociation mechanism subsequent to photodissociation at 308 nm. Surprisingly, at this wavelength the O-atom electronic angular momentum alignment was found to be small. Probe-only ion images obtained under a variety of molecular-beam backing-pressure conditions, and corresponding to O atoms generated in the photodissociation of either the monomer, NO(2), or the dimer, N(2)O(4), at 226 nm, are also reported. For the monomer, where 226 nm corresponds to excitation into the second absorption band, the kinetic-energy release distributions are also found to indicate a strong population inversion in the NO cofragment, and are shown to be remarkably similar to those previously observed in the wavelength range of 193-248 nm. Mechanistic implications of this result are discussed. At 226 nm it has also been possible to observe directly O atoms from the photodissociation of the dimer. The O-atom velocity distribution has been analyzed to provide information about its production mechanism.

Atomic polarization in the photodissociation of diatomic molecules

The angular momentum polarization of atomic photofragments provides a detailed insight into the dynamics of the photodissociation process. In this article, the origins of electronic angular momentum polarization are introduced and experimental and theoretical methods for the measurement or calculation of atomic orientation and alignment parameters described. Many diatomic photodissociation systems are surveyed, in order to provide an overview both of the historical development of the field and of the most state-of-the-art contemporary studies.

The photodissociation dynamics of O2 at 193 nm: an O(3PJ) angular momentum polarization study

In the following paper we present translational anisotropy and angular momentum polarization data for O((3)P(1)) and O((3)P(2)) products of the photodissociation of molecular oxygen at 193 nm. The data were obtained using polarized laser photodissociation coupled with resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and velocity-map ion imaging. Under the jet-cooled conditions employed, absorption is believed to be dominated by excitation into the Herzberg continuum. The experimental data are compared with previous experiments and theoretical calculations at this and other wavelengths. Semi-classical calculations performed by Groenenboom and van Vroonhoven [J. Chem. Phys, 2002, 116, 1965] are used to estimate the alignment parameters arising from incoherent excitation and dissociation and these are shown to agree qualitatively well with the available experimental data. Following the work of Alexander et al. [J. Chem. Phys, 2003, 118, 10566], orientation and alignment parameters arising from coherent excitation and dissociation are modelled more approximately by estimating phase differences generated subsequent to dissociation via competing adiabatic pathways leading to the same asymptotic products. These calculations lend support to the view that large values of the coherent alignment moments, but small values of the corresponding orientation moments, could arise from coherent excitation of (and subsequent dissociation via) parallel and perpendicular components of the Herzberg I, II and III transitions.

Imaging photon-initiated reactions: A study of the Cl(P3∕22)+CH4→HCl+CH3 reaction

The hydrogen or deuterium atom abstraction reactions between Cl((2)P(3/2)) and methane, or its deuterated analogues CD(4) and CH(2)D(2), have been studied at mean collision energies around 0.34 eV. The experiments were performed in a coexpansion of molecular chlorine and methane in helium, with the atomic Cl reactants generated by polarized laser photodissociation of Cl(2) at 308 nm. The Cl-atom reactants and the methyl radical products were detected using (2+1) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization, coupled with velocity-map ion imaging. Analysis of the ion images reveals that in single-beam experiments of this type, careful consideration must be given to the spread of reagent velocities and collision energies. Using the reactions of Cl with CH(4), CD(4), and CH(2)D(2), as examples, it is shown that the data can be fitted well if the reagent motion is correctly described, and the angular scattering distributions can be obtained with confidence. New evidence is also provided that the CD(3) radicals from the Cl+CD(4) reaction possess significant rotational alignment under the conditions of the present study. The results are compared with previous experimental and theoretical works, where these are available.

Product spin–orbit state resolved dynamics of the H+H2O and H+D2O abstraction reactions

The product state-resolved dynamics of the reactions H+H(2)O/D(2)O-->OH/OD((2)Pi(Omega);v',N',f )+H(2)/HD have been explored at center-of-mass collision energies around 1.2, 1.4, and 2.5 eV. The experiments employ pulsed laser photolysis coupled with polarized Doppler-resolved laser induced fluorescence detection of the OH/OD radical products. The populations in the OH spin-orbit states at a collision energy of 1.2 eV have been determined for the H+H(2)O reaction, and for low rotational levels they are shown to deviate from the statistical limit. For the H+D(2)O reaction at the highest collision energy studied the OD((2)Pi(3/2),v'=0,N'=1,A') angular distributions show scattering over a wide range of angles with a preference towards the forward direction. The kinetic energy release distributions obtained at 2.5 eV also indicate that the HD coproducts are born with significantly more internal excitation than at 1.4 eV. The OD((2)Pi(3/2),v'=0,N'=1,A') angular and kinetic energy release distributions are almost identical to those of their spin-orbit excited OD((2)Pi(1/2),v'=0,N'=1,A') counterpart. The data are compared with previous experimental measurements at similar collision energies, and with the results of previously published quasiclassical trajectory and quantum mechanical calculations employing the most recently developed potential energy surface. Product OH/OD spin-orbit effects in the reaction are discussed with reference to simple models.

Spatial distributions of angular momenta in quantum and quasiclassical stereodynamics

We have recently reported a derivation of the relationship between the quantum and classical descriptions of angular momentum polarization [M. P. de Miranda and F. Javier Aoiz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 083201 (2004)]. This paper presents a detailed account of the derivation outlined in that paper, and discusses the implications of the new results. These include (i) a new expression of the role of the uncertainty principle in the broadening of angular momentum distributions, (ii) the attribution of azimuthal fluctuations of angular momentum distributions to spatial quantum beats, (iii) the definition of a new Fourier transform of the density matrix, distinct from those suggested in the past, that provides an alternative view of how the quantum description of angular momentum polarization approaches the classical one in the correspondence principle limit, (iv) a prescription for the determination of a quasiclassical angular momentum distribution function that does not suffer from problems encountered with its purely classical counterpart, and (v) a description of how angular momentum distributions commonly visualized with recourse to the classical vector model can be depicted with exact and well-defined quantum mechanics.

The dynamics of the Cl+n-C4H10→HCl (v′,j′)+C4H9 reaction at 0.32 eV

Rotational state resolved center-of-mass angular scattering and kinetic energy release distributions have been determined for the HCl (v' = 0, j' = 0-6) products of the reaction of chlorine with n-butane using the photon-initiated reaction technique, coupled with velocity-map ion imaging. The angular and kinetic energy release distributions derived from the ion images are very similar to those obtained previously for the Cl plus ethane reaction. The angular distributions are found to shift from forward scattering to more isotropic scattering with increasing HCl rotational excitation. The kinetic energy release distributions indicate that around 30% of the available energy is channeled into internal excitation of the butyl radical products. The data analysis also suggests that H-atom abstraction takes place from both primary and secondary carbon atom sites, with the primary site producing rotationally cold, forward scattered HCl (v' = 0) products, and the secondary site yielding more isotropically scattered HCl (v' = 0) possessing higher rotational excitation. The mechanisms leading to these two product channels are discussed in the light of the present findings, and in comparison with studies of other Cl plus alkane reactions.

Photodissociation and multiphoton dissociative ionization processes in CH3S2CH3 at 193 nm studied using velocity-map imaging

Dissociation and ionization processes in dimethyl disulfide, CH(3)S(2)CH(3), induced by one- or two-photon absorption of 193 nm light, have been studied using velocity-map ion imaging. The analysis of the ion images of the CH(3)S(2) (+), CH(3)S(+), S(2) (+), and S(+) fragments has allowed the characterization of the scattering dynamics of some of the main photolysis and dissociative-ionization processes. In particular, the experiments corroborate the formation of electronically excited SCH(3)((2)A(1)) products in the 193 nm photodissociation of dimethyl disulfide seen in earlier studies, and show that laser ionization provides a very sensitive method for their detection. The data have also allowed determination of the recoil energy and angular distributions of the CH(3)S(2) (+) and CH(3)S(+) products of the two-photon dissociative-ionization of the CH(3)S(2)CH(3) molecule. The measured distributions for these products are consistent with the formation of a transient parent ion which dissociates after a substantial intramolecular rearrangement, possibly yielding the most stable isomeric forms of the fragments, namely CH(2)S(2)H(+) and CH(2)SH(+).

Cross section for the H+H2O abstraction reaction: experiment and theory

The absolute value of the cross section for the abstraction reaction between fast H atoms and H2O has been determined experimentally at a mean collision energy of 2.46 eV. The OH population distribution at the same mean energy has also been determined. The new measurements are compared with state-of-the-art quantum mechanical and quasiclassical scattering calculations on the most recently developed potential energy surface.