Quantum state-to-state rate constants for the rotationally inelastic collision of CH(B2Sigma(-), nu=0, N-->N') with Ar

We have calculated the state-to-state integral cross sections and rate constants for the rotationally inelastic collision of CH(B (2)Sigma(-), nu=0, N-->N') with Ar using the quantum coupled-state and close-coupling methods on an ab initio potential-energy surface constructed by Alexander et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 101, 4547 (1994)]. Overall the calculated rate constants are in good agreements with the three available experimental results. The rate constants are comparable to the usual gas kinetic and decrease with increasing N and DeltaN. For the multiquantum transition cases, the theory underestimates the experiment. We discuss some possible causes to the discrepancies among the theory and the experiments.

Spectroscopic and theoretical characterization of the AΔ2-XΠ2 transition of CH–Ne

The A2delta-X2pi transition of CH-Ne was examined using laser-induced fluorescence and fluorescence depletion techniques. The spectrum was found to be particularly congested due to the large number of bound states derived from the CH(A,n=2)+Ne interaction, and the small energy spacings between these states resulting from the relatively weak anisotropy of the van der Waals bond. High-level ab initio calculations were used to generate two-dimensional potential energy surfaces for CH(X)-Ne and CH(A)-Ne. The equilibrium structures from these surfaces were bent and linear for the X and A states, respectively. Variational calculations were used to predict the bound states supported by the ab initio surfaces. Empirical modification of the potential energy surfaces for the A state was used to obtain energy-level predictions that were in good agreement with the experimental results. Transitions to all of the optically accessible internal rotor states of CH(A,n=2)-Ne were identified, indicating that CH performs hindered internal rotations in the lowest-energy levels of the A and X states. The characteristics of the potential energy surfaces for CH-Ne in the X,A,B, and C states suggest that dispersion and exchange repulsion forces dominate the van der Waals interaction.

Orientation and alignment moments in two-color polarization spectroscopy

A theoretical analysis of two-color polarization spectroscopy (TCPS) is presented as an extension of a previous analysis of one-color PS. Three commonly used schemes in which pump and probe transitions share a common level are considered. Diagrammatic techniques are used to isolate the photon interaction sequences that can contribute to the signal. A perturbation-theory analysis expressing the signal in terms of spherical tensor moments is applied. The analysis emphasises the significance of orientation and alignment tensor moments of rotational angular momentum and their collisional evolution. The assumed context is transitions between single rotational states of gas-phase molecules that subsequently suffer discrete collisions. The time scale of the measurements is assumed to be long relative to the periods of molecular motion, as would typically be the case for signals excited by nanosecond-pulsed lasers from samples at moderate pressures. The Doppler motion of the probed species is included, as is an analytical solution to the integration over the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities. The effects of nuclear hyperfine depolarization and velocity-changing collisions are discussed. It is shown that when pump- and probe-laser pulses are separated in time, TCPS creates and probes either orientation or alignment of rotational angular momentum in the common level shared by pump and probe transitions. Example simulations of one- and two-color polarization spectroscopies are included to demonstrate the resulting simplification of the measured signal using TCPS. TCPS is therefore a viable spectroscopic technique for the determination of rotational angular momentum orientation and alignment relaxation rates in molecular gases, of interest because they are sensitive probes of inelastic collisions.

Collision-Partner Dependence of Energy Transfer between the CH A2Δ and B2Σ- States

We have investigated experimentally the collision-induced electronic energy transfer between the CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-) states with the series of partners He, Ar, H(2), N(2), CO, and CO(2). Single rovibronic states of either of the near-degenerate levels A(2)Delta, v = 1, or B(2)Sigma(-), v = 0, were prepared by laser excitation. Collisional transfer processes were monitored by detecting dispersed, time-resolved fluorescence from the initial and product states. The microscopic rate constants for vibronically resolved transfer between the A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-) states, vibrational relaxation within the A state, and total removal to unobserved final products were determined for each partner. In line with previous work, we find that only CO and H(2) are efficient at total removal of CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-), most probably through chemical reaction. CO(2) is notably effective at A(2)Delta state vibrational relaxation, possibly through resonant vibrational energy transfer. All the partners cause transfer between CH A(2)Delta and B(2)Sigma(-). An important new observation is that their efficiencies are well correlated with the strength of long-range attractive forces, as revealed through a positive correlation of the Parmenter-Seaver type. The vibronic branching to A(2)Delta, v = 0 and 1 from B(2)Sigma(-), v = 0 is found to be significantly collision-partner-dependent and not well predicted by energy gap scaling laws. We do not find any enhanced effectiveness in B(2)Sigma(-) to A(2)Delta coupling for those partners which form strongly bound intermediates, suggesting that this specific electronic channel is controlled by different regions of the potential energy surfaces.