The production and characterization by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization of H2(v=10–14) from photodissociation of H2S

The vibronic state dependent predissociation of H2S: determination of all fragmentation processes

Photochemistry plays a significant role in shaping the chemical reaction network in the solar nebula and interstellar clouds. However, even in a simple triatomic molecule photodissociation, determination of all fragmentation processes is yet to be achieved. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the photochemistry of H2S, derived from cutting-edge translational spectroscopy measurements of the H, S(1D) and S(1S) atom products formed by photolysis at wavelengths across the range 155-120 nm. The results provide detailed insights into the energy disposal in the SH(X), SH(A) and H2 co-fragments, and the atomisation routes leading to two H atoms along with S(3P) and S(1D) atoms. Theoretical calculations allow the dynamics of all fragmentation processes, especially the bimodal internal energy distributions in the diatomic products, to be rationalised in terms of non-adiabatic transitions between potential energy surfaces of both 1A' and 1A'' symmetry. The comprehensive picture of the wavelength-dependent (or vibronic state-dependent) photofragmentation behaviour of H2S will serve as a text-book example illustrating the importance of non-Born-Oppenheimer effects in molecular photochemistry, and the findings should be incorporated in future astrochemical modelling.

Rotational and nuclear-spin level dependent photodissociation dynamics of H2S

The detailed features of molecular photochemistry are key to understanding chemical processes enabled by non-adiabatic transitions between potential energy surfaces. But even in a small molecule like hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), the influence of non-adiabatic transitions is not yet well understood. Here we report high resolution translational spectroscopy measurements of the H and S(¹D) photoproducts formed following excitation of H₂S to selected quantum levels of a Rydberg state with ¹B₁ electronic symmetry at wavelengths λ ~ 139.1 nm, revealing rich photofragmentation dynamics. Analysis reveals formation of SH(X), SH(A), S(³P) and H₂ co-fragments, and in the diatomic products, inverted internal state population distributions. These nuclear dynamics are rationalised in terms of vibronic and rotational dependent predissociations, with relative probabilities depending on the parent quantum level. The study suggests likely formation routes for the S atoms attributed to solar photolysis of H₂S in the coma of comets like C/1995 O1 and C/2014 Q2.

The photodissociation dynamics of small molecules in the vacuum ultraviolet range can have key implications for astrochemical modelling, but revealing such dynamical details is a challenging task. Here the authors, combining high resolution experimental techniques, provide a detailed description of the fragmentation dynamics of selected rotational levels of a predissociated Rydberg state of H₂S.

Photolysis Production and Spectroscopic Investigation of the Highest Vibrational States in H2 (X1Σg+ v = 13, 14)

Rovibrational quantum states in the X1Σg+ electronic ground state of H2 are prepared in the v = 13 vibrational level up to its highest bound rotational level J = 7, and in the highest bound vibrational level v = 14 (for J = 1) by two-photon photolysis of H2S. These states are laser-excited in a subsequent two-photon scheme into F1Σg+ outer well states, where the assignment of the highest (v,J) states is derived from a comparison of experimentally known levels in F1Σg+, combined with ab initio calculations of X1Σg+ levels. The assignments are further verified by excitation of F1Σg+ population into autoionizing continuum resonances, which are compared with multichannel quantum defect calculations. Precision spectroscopic measurements of the F-X intervals form a test for the ab initio calculations of ground state levels at high vibrational quantum numbers and large internuclear separations, for which agreement is found.

Ultraviolet photolysis of H2S and its implications for SH radical production in the interstellar medium

Hydrogen sulfide radicals in the ground state, SH(X), and hydrogen disulfide molecules, H₂S, are both detected in the interstellar medium, but the returned SH(X)/H₂S abundance ratios imply a depletion of the former relative to that predicted by current models (which assume that photon absorption by H₂S at energies below the ionization limit results in H + SH photoproducts). Here we report that translational spectroscopy measurements of the H atoms and S(¹D) atoms formed by photolysis of jet-cooled H₂S molecules at many wavelengths in the range 122 ≤ λ ≤155 nm offer a rationale for this apparent depletion; the quantum yield for forming SH(X) products, Γ, decreases from unity (at the longest excitation wavelengths) to zero at short wavelengths. Convoluting the wavelength dependences of Γ, the H₂S parent absorption and the interstellar radiation field implies that only ~26% of photoexcitation events result in SH(X) products. The findings suggest a need to revise the relevant astrochemical models.

Sulfur is abundant in the Universe, but the observed abundance ratio of SH to H₂S doesn’t agree with astrochemical models. The authors measure product state-resolved translational energy spectra of photoproducts in a jet-cooled H₂S beam as a function of wavelength, showing that SH yield is lower than assumed in the models.

Precision measurements and test of molecular theory in highly excited vibrational states of H2 (v = 11)

Accurate E F 1 Σ g + - X 1 Σ g + transition energies in molecular hydrogen were determined for transitions originating from levels with highly excited vibrational quantum number, v = 11, in the ground electronic state. Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy was applied on vibrationally excited H 2 ∗ , produced via the photodissociation of H2S, yielding transition frequencies with accuracies of 45 MHz or 0.0015 cm-1. An important improvement is the enhanced detection efficiency by resonant excitation to autoionizing 7 p π electronic Rydberg states, resulting in narrow transitions due to reduced ac-Stark effects. Using known EF level energies, the level energies of X(v = 11, J = 1, 3-5) states are derived with accuracies of typically 0.002 cm-1. These experimental values are in excellent agreement with and are more accurate than the results obtained from the most advanced ab initio molecular theory calculations including relativistic and QED contributions.

Communication: Test of quantum chemistry in vibrationally hot hydrogen molecules

Precision measurements are performed on highly excited vibrational quantum states of molecular hydrogen. The v = 12, J = 0 - 3 rovibrational levels of H2 (X(1)Σg (+)), lying only 2000 cm(-1) below the first dissociation limit, were populated by photodissociation of H2S and their level energies were accurately determined by two-photon Doppler-free spectroscopy. A comparison between the experimental results on v = 12 level energies with the best ab initio calculations shows a good agreement, where the present experimental accuracy of 3.5 × 10(-3) cm(-1) is more precise than theory, hence providing a gateway to further test theoretical advances in this benchmark quantum system.

Mass spectrometry and its use in tandem with laser spectroscopy

Mass spectrometry is undergoing rapid development, especially with the extension of its range into the hundreds of kilodaltons, the emergence of the quadrupole ion trap as a high-performance instrument, and the development of techniques for recording three-dimensional spectra. These advances are summarized in this review; in addition, the power of the combination of lasers and mass spectrometers is given particular emphasis. Their combination has contributed recently to chemical dynamics, to the study of cluster structure and reactivity, and to the elucidation of the properties of highly excited molecules and ions.