Erratum: “Transition strengths and potential curves for the valence transitions in Br2 from a reanalysis of the ultraviolet-visible absorption at low resolution” [J. Chem. Phys. 115, 10417 (2001)]

Least-squares analysis of overlapped bound-free absorption spectra and predissociation data in diatomics: the C(1Πu) state of I2

Absorption spectra are recorded at low resolution but high quantitative precision for I(2) vapor at 35 °C and 64 °C. These and literature spectra are analyzed by least-squares quantum spectral simulation of the overlapped A ← X, B ← X, and C((1)Π(u)) ← X transitions, with the aid of a pseudocontinuum model for the discrete regions of the A ← X and B ← X spectra. The analysis yields improved descriptions of the small-R regions of the A- and B-state potentials, which are known precisely at larger R from discrete spectroscopy. The C potential is determined at small R from its C ← X absorption, at intermediate R from literature data for B → C predissociation, and at large R from its known van der Waals well. The estimates of the electronic transition moment function ∣μ(e)(R)∣ for the B-X transition expand upon precise results from a recent determination by a different method. For the C-X and A-X transitions, the R-dependence of the transition moment functions resembles that found previously for these systems in Br(2). Of the spectroscopic properties, the C ← X spectrum is most altered from the previous analysis, being now ∼20% weaker. For B → C predissociation, no derived C potential has yielded computed rates in adequate statistical agreement with the analyzed experimental data.

Communications: A model study on the electronic predissociation of the NeBr(2) van der Waals complex

Recently, the predissociation lifetimes of the NeBr(2)(B) complex for different initial vibrational excitation (10<or=v(')<or=20) have been measured using time-resolved optical pump-probe spectroscopy [Taylor et al., J. Chem. Phys., 132, 104309 (2010)]. In the vibrational interval studied, the vibrational predissociation (VP) proceeds by the transfer of a single vibrational quantum and the lifetimes are expected to decrease smoothly with increasing v('), as predicted by the energy gap law. However, the experimental lifetimes show strong oscillations with v('), which were attributed to the occurrence of electronic predissociation into two possible dissociative electronic states of Br(2)(1(g),2(g)), based on a Franck-Condon spectator model. In this work we reproduce the experimental findings by performing full three-dimensional wave packet calculations for the competition of vibrational and electronic predissociation, including the B(0(u) (+)), 2(g), and C(1(u)) electronic states. Model potential energy surfaces were used based on previous theoretical simulations of the VP dynamics on the B state and on ab initio calculations on the NeCl(2) related system. Thus, only two parameters, the strength of the electronic couplings, are fit to achieve the excellent theoretical/experimental agreement.

Valence transitions of Br2 in Ar matrices: interaction with the lattice and predissociation

Fluorescence spectra from v(')=0 of the B, A and A(') states of Br(2)Ar are presented for excitation wavelengths from 630 to 540 nm with high resolution, to evaluate isotopic splittings in emission and absorption. The observed progression of sharp zero phonon lines (ZPLs) from v(')=2 to v(')=19 in B excitation is used to derive spectroscopic constants. The ZPL broadening and the growing phonon sideband (PSB) contributions indicate an increase of matrix influence on the X-B transition with rising v('). Contributions of the PSB are parameterized with the Huang-Rhys coupling constant S, where S=1 near the potential minimum reflects the electron-phonon coupling and S=4 close to Franck-Condon maximum originates from vibrational coupling. The PSB spectral composition correlates with the matrix phonon density of states, and the ZPL broadens and shifts with temperature. Two crossings with repulsive states (between v(')=4-5 and v(')=7-9) leading to matrix induced predissociation and a third tentative one between v(')=14 and 15 are indicated by ZPL broadening, population flow, and spectral shifts. The crossing energies are close to gas phase and matrix calculations. The stepwise flow of intensity from B via repulsive states to A(') and, similarly, from the A continuum to A(') is discussed. Emission quantum efficiency of the B state decreases from near unity at v(')=0 to less than 10(-3) at v(')=19. Broadening of ZPL near crossings yields predissociation times of 5 and 2.5 ps corresponding to probabilities of 5% and 10% per round-trip for the two lowest crossings, respectively.

Quenched by ice: Transient grating measurements of vibronic dynamics in bromine-doped ice

In both water and in ice, the absorption spectra of bromine are dramatically broadened and blueshifted, and all fluorescence is quenched. Time resolved, electronically resonant transient grating measurements are carried out to characterize the vibronic dynamics of the trapped molecule in its electronic B(3Pi0u) state in ice. Independent of the initial excitation energy, after the first half-period of motion, a vibrational packet is observed to oscillate near the bottom of the potential, near nu=1. The oscillations undergo a chirped decay to a terminal frequency of 169 cm(-1) on a time scale of taunu=1240 fs, to form the stationary nu=0 level. The electronic population in the B state decays in taue=1500 fs. Adiabatic following to the cage-compression coordinate is a plausible origin of the chirp. Analysis of the absorption spectrum is provided to recognize that solvent coordinates are directly excited in the process. The observed blueshift of the absorption is modeled by considering the Br2-OH2 complex. Two-dimensional simulations, that explicitly include the solvent coordinate, reproduce both the time data and the absorption spectrum. The observed sharp vibrational recursions can be explained by overdamped motion along the solvent coordinate, and wave packet focusing by fast dissipation during the first half-period of motion of the molecular coordinate.