Studies of angular distributions and cross sections for photodetachment from the oxygen molecular anion

Photoelectron angular distributions in negative-ion photodetachment from mixed sp states

We describe an approach for constructing analytical models for the energy-dependence of photoelectron angular distributions in the one-electron, non-relativistic approximation. We construct such a model for electron emission from an orbital described as a superposition of s- and p-type functions, using linearly polarized light. In the limits of pure s or pure p electron photodetachment or photoionization, the model correctly reproduces the familiar Cooper-Zare formula. The model predictions are compared to experimental results for strongly solvated H(-) and NH(2)(-), corresponding to predominantly s and predominantly p character parent states, respectively.

Vibronic coupling in the superoxide anion: the vibrational dependence of the photoelectron angular distribution

We present a comprehensive photoelectron imaging study of the O(2)(X  (3)Σ(g)(-),v(')=0-6)←O(2)(-)(X  (2)Π(g),v(")=0) and O(2)(a (1)Δ(g),v(')=0-4)←O(2)(-)(X  (2)Π(g),v(")=0) photodetachment bands at wavelengths between 900 and 455 nm, examining the effect of vibronic coupling on the photoelectron angular distribution (PAD). This work extends the v(')=1-4 data for detachment into the ground electronic state, presented in a recent communication [R. Mabbs, F. Mbaiwa, J. Wei, M. Van Duzor, S. T. Gibson, S. J. Cavanagh, and B. R. Lewis, Phys. Rev. A 82, 011401(R) (2010)]. Measured vibronic intensities are compared to Franck-Condon predictions and used as supporting evidence of vibronic coupling. The results are analyzed within the context of the one-electron, zero core contribution (ZCC) model [R. M. Stehman and S. B. Woo, Phys. Rev. A 23, 2866 (1981)]. For both bands, the photoelectron anisotropy parameter variation with electron kinetic energy, β(E), displays the characteristics of photodetachment from a d-like orbital, consistent with the π(g)(∗) 2p highest occupied molecular orbital of O(2)(-). However, differences exist between the β(E) trends for detachment into different vibrational levels of the X  (3)Σ(g)(-) and a (1)Δ(g) electronic states of O(2). The ZCC model invokes vibrational channel specific "detachment orbitals" and attributes this behavior to coupling of the electronic and nuclear motion in the parent anion. The spatial extent of the model detachment orbital is dependent on the final state of O(2): the higher the neutral vibrational excitation, the larger the electron binding energy. Although vibronic coupling is ignored in most theoretical treatments of PADs in the direct photodetachment of molecular anions, the present findings clearly show that it can be important. These results represent a benchmark data set for a relatively simple system, upon which to base rigorous tests of more sophisticated models.

Cluster-enhanced X–O2 photochemistry (X=CH3I, C3H6, C6H12, and Xe)

The effect of a local environment on the photodissociation of molecular oxygen is investigated in the van der Waals complex X-O(2) (X=CH(3)I, C(3)H(6), C(6)H(12), and Xe). A single laser operating at wavelengths around 226 nm is used for both photodissociation of the van der Waals complex and simultaneous detection of the O((3)P(J),J=2,1,0) atom photoproduct via (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization. The kinetic energy distribution (KED) and angular anisotropy of the product O atom recoil in this dissociation are measured using the velocity map imaging technique configured for either full ("crush") or partial ("slice") detection of the three-dimensional O((3)P(J)) atom product Newton sphere. The measured KED and angular anisotropy reveal a distinct difference in the mechanism of O atom generation from an X-O(2) complex compared to a free O(2) molecule. The authors identify two one-photon excitation pathways, the relative importance of which depends on IPx, the ionization potential of the X partner. One pathway, observed for all complexes independent of IPx, involves a direct transition to the perturbed covalent state X-O(2)(A'(3)Delta(u)) with excitation localized on the O(2) subunit. The predominantly perpendicular character of this channel relative to the laser polarization detection, together with data on the structure of the complex, allows us to confirm that X partner induced admixing of an X(+)-O(2) (-) charge transfer (CT) state is the perturbing factor resulting in the well-known enhancement of photoabsorption within the Herzberg continuum of molecular oxygen. The second excitation pathway, observed for X-O(2) complexes with X=CH(3)I and C(3)H(6), involves direct excitation into the (3)(X(+)-O(2) (-)) CT state of the complex. The subsequent photodissociation of this CT state by the same laser pulse gives rise to the superoxide anion O(2) (-), which then photodissociates, providing fast (0.69 eV) O atoms with a parallel image pattern. Products from the photodissociation of singlet oxygen O(2)(b (1)Sigma(g) (+)) are also observed when the CH(3)I-O(2) complex was irradiated. Potential energy surfaces (PES) for the ground and relevant excited states of the X-O(2) complex have been constructed for CH(3)I-O(2) using the results of CASSCF calculations for the ground and CT states of the complex as well as literature data on PES of the subunits. These model potential energy surfaces allowed us to interpret all of the observed O((3)P(J)) atom production channels.