One- and two-color photoelectron imaging of the CO molecule via the B 1Σ+ state

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence study of the CO B 1Σ+ (v' = 0) state in a 4850 K plasma plume: Modified molecular constants, evidence of predissociation, and J'-dependent photoionization

We report the two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence rotational spectrum of the CO B 1Σ+ ← X 1Σ+ Hopfield-Birge system (v' = 0, v″ = 0) Q-branch in an ∼4850 K, atmospheric pressure plasma torch plume at thermal equilibrium in both the quenching-dominated (low laser intensity) and photoionization-dominated (high laser intensity) regimes. We provide a detailed analysis of the photophysics in these two regimes using a rate equation approach and propose modeling considerations for them as well. In the experimental spectra, distinct rotational transitions up to J″ = 83 are observed, allowing analysis over a very large range of rotational states. Evidence of predissociation is observed for J' ≥ 64 and is likely due to the interaction with the D'1Σ+ electronic state, which has been proposed in the literature but never observed in the v' = 0 state. The line positions of higher rotational states show disagreement with line positions calculated from molecular constants in the available literature, suggesting the need for modifications to the constants, which are reported here. A shift in the B 1Σ+ ← X 1Σ+ absorption spectrum toward higher two-photon energy as a result of the second-order Stark shift was observed in the photoionization-dominated spectrum, and the second-order Stark shift cross section was estimated to be 7 ± 3 × 10-18 cm2. The mean photoionization cross section of the excited upper state was inferred by comparing the line broadening of the two spectra and was estimated to be 11 ± 7 × 10-18 cm2. In addition, weak J'-dependent variations of the photoionization cross section were observed and are reported here.

Low-temperature synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan's surface ices and on airless bodies

Titan's equatorial dunes represent the most monumental surface structures in our Solar System, but the chemical composition of their dark organics remains a fundamental, unsolved enigma, with solid acetylene detected near the dunes implicated as a key feedstock. Here, we reveal in laboratory simulation experiments that aromatics such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene-prospective building blocks of the organic dune material-can be efficiently synthesized via galactic cosmic ray exposure of low-temperature acetylene ices on Titan's surface, hence challenging conventional wisdom that aromatic hydrocarbons are formed solely in Titan's atmosphere. These processes are also of critical importance in unraveling the origin and chemical composition of the dark surfaces of airless bodies in the outer Solar System, where hydrocarbon precipitation from the atmosphere cannot occur. This finding notably advances our understanding of the distribution of carbon throughout our Solar System such as on Kuiper belt objects like Makemake.

Imaging multiphoton ionization and dissociation of rotationally warm CO via the B+Σ1 and EΠ1 electronic states

Pathways for formation of C⁺ and O⁺ ions when applying (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of CO via the B¹Σ⁺ and E¹Π electronic states are characterized with the velocity map imaging technique. By employing an unskimmed pulsed valve, it was possible to obtain sharp images for a wide range of initial CO J-states. Most of the atomic ion production pathways could be assigned as one- or two-photon dissociation of a series of vibrational levels of the CO⁺ X²Σ⁺ and A²Π states. Large enhancements in dissociation of particular CO⁺ vibrational states in these progressions could be accurately assigned to accidental resonances of the REMPI laser with CO⁺ X²Σ⁺-B²Σ⁺ transitions.

Vibrational State-Selective Resonant Two-Photon Photoelectron Spectroscopy of AuS(-) via a Spin-Forbidden Excited State

Vibrational state-selective resonant two-photon photoelectron spectra have been obtained via a triplet intermediate state ((3)Σ(-)) of AuS(-) near its detachment threshold using high-resolution photoelectron imaging of cryogenically cooled AuS(-) anions. Four vibrational levels of the (3)Σ(-) excited state are observed to be below the detachment threshold. Resonant two-photon absorptions through these levels yield vibrational state-selective photoelectron spectra to the (2)Σ final state of neutral AuS with broad and drastically different Franck-Condon distributions, reflecting the symmetries of the vibrational wave functions of the (3)Σ(-) intermediate state. The (3)Σ(-) excited state is spin-forbidden from the (1)Σ(+) ground state of AuS(-) and is accessed due to strong relativistic effects. The nature of the (3)Σ(-) excited state is confirmed by angular distributions of the photoelectron images and quantum calculations.

First analysis of the 1-v″ progression of the Ångström (B1Σ+-A1Π) band system in the rare 13C17O isotopologue

The 1-v″ progression of the Ångström band system, so far unobserved in the rare (13)C(17)O isotopologue, was obtained under high resolution as an emission spectrum using a high accuracy dispersive optical spectroscopy. In the studied region 22,700-24,500 cm(-1), 146 spectral lines were observed, among which 118 were interpreted as belonging to the 1-0 and 1-1 bands of B-A system, and the next 28 were interpreted as extra lines belonging to the 1-1 band of B(1)Σ(+)-e(3)Σ(-) intercombination system, also unobserved in the (13)C(17)O molecule so far. All those lines were precisely measured with an estimated accuracy better than 0.0025 cm(-1), and rotationally analyzed. As a result the following in the (13)C(17)O molecule were calculated for the first time: the merged rotational constants B1 = 1.790227(23) cm(-1), D1 = 6.233(47) × 10(-6) cm(-1), and ΔG1/2 = 2010.9622 (69) cm(-1) and the equilibrium constants, ωe = 2076.04(57) cm(-1), ωexe = 32.54(28) cm(-1), Be = 1.824678(15) cm(-1), αe = 2.2967(24) × 10(-2) cm(-1), De = 5.226(25) × 10(-6) cm(-1), and βe = 6.71(48) × 10(-7) cm(-1) for the B(1)Σ(+) Rydberg state, as well as the individual rotational constant B0 = 1.50485(78) cm(-1), and the equilibrium constants ωe = 1463.340(21) cm(-1), Be = 1.49902(12) cm(-1), αe = 1.7782(49) × 10(-2) cm(-1), De = 7.36(56) × 10(-6) cm(-1) for the A(1)Π state, and σe = 21,854.015(51) cm(-1), RKR turning points, Franck-Condon factors (FCF), relative intensities, and r centroids for the Ångström band system. With the help of the strong and vast A(1)Π (v = 0) ∼ e(3)Σ(-) (v = 1) interaction, the experimental parameters of the e(3)Σ(-) (v = 1) perturbing state were established in the (13)C(17)O molecule for the first time.

Photoelectron imaging following 2 + 1 multiphoton excitation of HBr

The photodissociation and photoionization dynamics of HBr via low-n Rydberg and ion-pair states was studied by using 2 + 1 REMPI spectroscopy and velocity map imaging of photoelectrons. Two-photon excitation at about 9.4-10 eV was used to prepare rotationally selected excited states. Following absorption of the third photon the unperturbed F (1)Delta(2) and i (3)Delta(2) states ionize directly into the ground vibrational state of the molecular ion according to the Franck-Condon principle and upon preservation of the ion core. In case of the V (1)Sigma(+)(0(+)) ion-pair state and the perturbed E (1)Sigma(+)(0(+)), g (3)Sigma(-)(0(+)), and H (1)Sigma(+)(0(+)) Rydberg states the absorption of the third photon additionally results in a long vibrational progression of HBr(+) in the X (2)Pi state as well as formation of electronically excited atomic photofragments. The vibrational excitation of the molecular ion is explained by autoionization of repulsive superexcited states into the ground state of the molecular ion. In contrast to HCl, the perturbed Rydberg states of HBr show strong participation of the direct ionization process, with ionic core preservation.

Multiphoton processes of CO at 230 nm

High resolution kinetic energy release spectra were obtained for C(+) and O(+) from CO multiphoton ionization followed by dissociation of CO(+). The excitation was through the CO (B (1)Sigma(+)) state via resonant two-photon excitation around 230 nm. A total of 5 and 6 photons are found to contribute to the production of carbon and oxygen cations. DC slice and Megapixel ion imaging techniques were used to acquire high quality images. Major features in both O(+) and C(+) spectra are assigned to the dissociation of some specific vibrational levels of CO(+)(X (2)Sigma(+)). The angular distributions of C(+) and O(+) are very distinct and those of various features of C(+) are also different. A dramatic change of the angular distribution of C(+) from dissociation of CO(+)(X (2)Sigma(+), nu(+) = 1) is attributed to an accidental one-photon resonance between CO(+)(X (2)Sigma(+), nu(+) = 1) and CO(+)(B (2)Sigma(+), nu(+) = 0) and explained well by a theoretical model. Both kinetic energy release and angular distributions were used to reveal the underlying dynamics.