Dipole-bound negative ions: Collisional destruction and blackbody-radiation-induced photodetachment

Observation of a Polarization-Assisted Dipole-Bound State

The critical dipole moment to bind an electron was empirically determined to be 2.5 debye, even though smaller values were predicted theoretically. Herein, we report the first observation of a polarization-assisted dipole-bound state (DBS) for a molecule with a dipole moment below 2.5 debye. Photoelectron and photodetachment spectroscopies are conducted for cryogenically cooled indolide anions, where the neutral indolyl radical has a dipole moment of 2.4 debye. The photodetachment experiment reveals a DBS only 6 cm^-1 below the detachment threshold along with sharp vibrational Feshbach resonances. Rotational profiles are observed for all of the Feshbach resonances, which are found to have surprisingly narrow linewidths and long autodetachment lifetimes attributed to weak coupling between vibrational motions and the nearly free dipole-bound electron. Calculations suggest that the observed DBS has π-symmetry stabilized by the strong anisotropic polarizability of indolyl.

Blackbody-Radiation-Induced Population Transfer Dynamics from Highly Vibrationally Excited Levels of the E 0g+ (3P2) Ion-Pair State of I2

We report the decay dynamics from the highly excited vibrational levels of the E 0_g⁺ (³P₂) ion-pair state of I₂. Strong UV fluorescence belonging to the D 0_u⁺ (³P₂) → X ¹Σ_g⁺ transition was observed upon the excitation of the E 0_g⁺ (³P₂) (v_E = 77 and 78) state. The vibrational levels populated in the D 0_u⁺ (³P₂) state were found to be located at slightly higher energies than the vibrational levels of the laser-excited E 0_g⁺ (³P₂) state. The vibrational levels populated in the D 0_u⁺ (³P₂) state were restricted to those which have relatively large Franck-Condon factors between the laser-prepared vibronic levels. The absorption and stimulated emission rate in the presence of thermal radiation strongly suggests that the population in the D 0_u⁺ (³P₂) state was induced by the absorption of blackbody radiation. The energy partitioning process in the high vibrational levels in the E 0_g⁺ (³P₂) state was found to be totally different from that in the lower levels (v_E = 0-2) where amplified spontaneous emission was a major relaxation pathway.

Probing the coupling of a dipole-bound electron with a molecular core

A dipolar molecule can weakly bind an electron in a diffuse orbital. However, the spin-orbit coupling between this weakly bound electron and the electrons in the molecular core is not known. Here we probe this coupling using the linear C₂P^- anion with the ³Σ⁺ ground state, which possesses dipole-bound excited states because neutral C₂P (²Π) has a sufficiently large dipole moment. Photodetachment spectroscopy and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy are used to probe the nature of the dipole-bound states. Two dipole-bound excited states are observed with a binding energy of 37 cm^-1, corresponding to the two spin-orbit states of neutral C₂P (²Π_1/2 and ²Π_3/2). The current study demonstrates that the weakly bound electron in the dipole-bound excited states of C₂P^- is not spin-coupled to the electrons in the C₂P core and can be considered as a quasi-free electron.

Interface-Induced Renormalization of Electrolyte Energy Levels in Magnesium Batteries

A promising strategy for increasing the energy density of Li-ion batteries is to substitute a multivalent (MV) metal for the commonly used lithiated carbon anode. Magnesium is a prime candidate for such a MV battery due to its high volumetric capacity, abundance, and limited tendency to form dendrites. One challenge that is slowing the implementation of Mg-based batteries, however, is the development of efficient and stable electrolytes. Computational screening for molecular species having sufficiently wide electrochemical windows is a starting point for the identification of optimal electrolytes. Nevertheless, this window can be altered via interfacial interactions with electrodes. These interactions are typically omitted in screening studies, yet they have the potential to generate large shifts to the HOMO and LUMO of the electrolyte components. The present study quantifies the stability of several common electrolyte solvents on model electrodes of relevance for Mg batteries. Many-body perturbation theory calculations based on the G0W0 method were used to predict shifts in a solvent's electronic levels arising from interfacial interactions. In molecules exhibiting large dipole moments, our calculations indicate that these interactions reduce the HOMO-LUMO gap by ∼ 25% (compared to isolated molecules). We conclude that electrode interactions can narrow an electrolyte's electrochemical window significantly, thereby accelerating redox decomposition reactions. Accounting for these interactions in screening studies presents an opportunity to refine predictions of electrolyte stability.

Autodetachment dynamics of acrylonitrile anion revealed by two-dimensional electron impact spectra

Two-dimensional electron energy-loss spectra of acrylonitrile are presented in the incident energy range 0.095-0.9 eV, where the incoming electron is temporarily captured in the lowest π* orbital. The cross section is plotted as a function of the incident electron energy that determines which vibrational resonant anion state is populated, and of the electron energy loss, that shows into which final vibrational states each resonance decays. The striking result is that besides the expected horizontal (for given resonances) and vertical (for given final states) patterns of peaks, diagonal arrangements of peaks are observed. They reveal restrictive selectivity with respect to which vibrations are deexcited in the detachment process, with ν(4) (C ≡ N stretch) and ν(7) (C-H rocking) dominating. Surprisingly, all spectral features could be assigned to vibrational levels of the valence π* resonance, and none to dipole-bound vibrational Feshbach resonance, although the latter must also exist in this energy range.

Photodetachment of cold OH- in a multipole ion trap

The absolute photodetachment cross section of OH- anions at a rotational and translational temperature of 170 K is determined by measuring the detachment-induced decay rate of the anions in a multipole radio-frequency ion trap. In comparison with previous results, the obtained cross section shows the importance of the initial rotational-state distribution. Using a tomography scan of the photodetachment laser through the trapped ion cloud, the derived cross section is model-independent and thus features a small systematic uncertainty. The tomography also yields the column density of the OH- anions in the 22-pole ion trap in good agreement with the expected trapping potential of a large field free region bound by steep potential walls.

Rydberg electron transfer to SF6: Product ion lifetimes

The lifetimes of SF6- ions produced by Rydberg electron transfer in K(np)SF6 collisions at high n, n greater or similar to 30, are examined using a Penning ion trap. The data point to the formation of ions with a range of lifetimes that extends from approximately 1 to greater or similar to 10 ms. Sizable numbers of ions remain in the trap even 40 ms after initial injection and at least part of this signal can be attributed to radiative stabilization. Measurements of free low-energy electron attachment to SF6 in the trap show that the product ions have lifetimes similar to those of SF6- ions formed by electron transfer in high-n collisions.

Rydberg electron transfer to C6H5NO2: lifetimes and characteristics of the product C6H5NO2- ions

The nature of electron binding in C6H5NO2- ions produced by Rydberg electron transfer in K(np)C6H5NO2 collisions is investigated through measurements of the number and the lifetimes of the product ions and their dependence on Rydberg atom velocity and principal quantum number n in the range 12 <or approximately n <or approximately 30. The data are interpreted by comparison to results obtained using well-known dipole-bound and valence-bound anions. At high n direct capture into valence-bound states with a lifetime of approximately 1.6 ms is observed. At low n the data suggest that, while direct capture into valence-bound states is still possible, the majority of the observed C6H5NO2- ions result from the onset of a second reaction channel that involves the formation of a dipole-bound "doorway" state that rapidly evolves into a state with predominantly valence-bound character. These findings are discussed in the light of earlier work on electron binding to C6H5NO2.