Atom–asymmetric top van der Waals complexes: Angular momentum coupling in Ar–H2O

A Rigid Bender Study of the Bending Relaxation of H2O and D2O by Collisions with Ar

The bending relaxation of H2O and D2O by collisions with Ar is studied at the Close Coupling level. Two new 4D PES are developed for these two systems. They are tested by performing rigid rotor calculations as well as by computing the D2O-Ar bound states. The results are compared with available theoretical and experimental data. Propensity rules for the dynamics are discussed and compared to those of H2O colliding with Ne or He. The bending relaxation cross sections and rates are then calculated for these two systems. The results are analysed and compared with available experimental data.

An intramolecular vibrationally excited intermolecular potential energy surface and predicted 2OH overtone spectroscopy of H2O-Kr

A new five-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for H2O-Kr which explicitly includes the intramolecular 2OH overtone state of the H2O monomer is presented. The intermolecular potential energies were evaluated using explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)-F12] with a large basis set. Four vibrationally averaged analytical intermolecular PESs for H2O-Kr with H2O molecules in its |00+〉, |02+〉, |02-〉, and |11+〉 states are obtained by fitting to the multi-dimensional Morse/Long-Range potential function form. Each vibrationally averaged PES fitted to 578 points has root-mean-square (RMS) deviations smaller than 0.14 cm-1 and requires only 58 parameters. The combined radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation method and the Lanczos algorithm were employed to calculate the rovibrational energy levels for |00+〉, |02+〉, |02-〉, and |11+〉 states of the H2O-Kr complexes. The calculated |02-〉Πf/e(101) ← |00+〉Σe(000) and |02+〉Πf/e(110) ← |00+〉Σe(101) infrared transitions are in excellent agreement with the experimental values with RMS discrepancies being only 0.007 and 0.016 cm-1, respectively. These analytical PESs can be used to provide reliable theoretical guidance for future infrared overtone spectroscopy of H2O-Kr.

Vibrationally excited intermolecular potential energy surfaces and the predicted near infrared overtone (vOH = 2 ← 0) spectra of a H2O-Ne complex

The ab initio intra- and inter-molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the H₂O-Ne system that explicitly incorporate the intramolecular overtone state (v_OH = 2) of H₂O are presented. The electronic structure computations have been carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)-F12] level with an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta basis set and an additional bond function. The vibrationally averaged three-dimensional intermolecular potentials for |00⁺〉, |02⁺〉, |02^-〉 and |11⁺〉 are obtained analytically by fitting to the multi-dimensional Morse/Long-range potential function form. These fits to 46 980 points have a root-mean-square (RMS) discrepancy of 0.12 cm^-1 for interaction energies less than 1000.0 cm^-1. With the vibrationally averaged PESs for the H₂O-Ne, we employed the combined radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation method and Lanczos algorithm to calculate rovibrational energy levels (J = 0-10, n_s ≤ 2). The predicted infrared transitions and intensities of the para- and ortho-H₂O-Ne complex are in good agreement with the available experimental data for |02^-〉 ← |00⁺〉, |02⁺〉 ← |00⁺〉 transitions. In particular, the RMS discrepancy for |02^-〉∑^e(0₀₀,0) ← |00⁺〉∑^e(1₀₁,0), including P and R branch patterns, is only 0.045 cm^-1, which is comparable with the experimental values. These results will provide reliable theoretical guidance for the future infrared overtone spectroscopy of clusters.

Orbiting resonances in formaldehyde reveal coupling of roaming, radical, and molecular channels

[Figure: see text].

Explicitly correlated ab initio potential energy surface and predicted rovibrational spectra for H2O-N2 and D2O-N2 complexes

An ab initio intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) for the van der Waals complex of H₂O-N₂ that explicitly incorporates the intramolecular Q₂ bending normal mode of the H₂O monomer is presented. The electronic structure computations have been carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)-F12] with an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta basis set and an additional bond function. Analytic five-dimensional intermolecular PESs for ν₂(H₂O) = 0 and 1 are obtained by fitting to the multi-dimensional Morse/long-range potential function form. These fits to 40 890 points have the root-mean-square (rms) discrepancy of 0.88 cm^-1 for interaction energies less than 2000.0 cm^-1. The resulting vibrationally averaged PESs provide good representations of the experimental microwave and infrared data: for microwave transitions of H₂O-N₂, the rms discrepancy is only 0.0003 cm^-1, and for infrared transitions of the A₁ symmetry of the H₂O(ν₂ = 1 ← 0)-N₂, the rms discrepancy is 0.001 cm^-1. The calculated infrared band origin shifts associated with the ν₂ bending vibration of water are 2.210 cm^-1 and 1.323 cm^-1 for H₂O-N₂ and D₂O-N₂, respectively, in good agreement with the experimental values of 2.254 cm^-1 and 1.266 cm^-1. The benchmark tests and comparisons of the predicted spectral properties are carried out between CCSD(T)-F12a and CCSD(T)-F12b approaches.

Analytic intermolecular potential energy surface and first-principles prediction of the rotational profiles for a symmetric top ion-atom complex: A case study of H3O+-Ar

We presented the first three-dimensional (3D) ab initio intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) for the H₃O⁺-Ar complex. The electronic structure computations were carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory-F12 with an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta basis set. Analytic 3D PES was obtained by least-squares fitting the multi-dimensional Morse/Long-Range (mdMLR) potential model to interaction energies, where the mdMLR function form was applied to the nonlinear ion-atom case for the first time. The 3D PES fitting to 1708 points has root-mean-square deviations of 0.19 cm^-1 with only 108 parameters for interaction energies less than 500 cm^-1. With the 3D PES of the H₃O⁺-Ar complex, we employed the combined radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation method and Lanczos algorithm to calculate rovibrational energy levels. The rotational profiles of the O-H anti-stretching vibrational bands of v₃ ⁺(S)←0⁺ and v₃ ^-(A)←0^- for the H₃O⁺-Ar complex were predicted and were in good agreement with the experimental results.

Full quantum calculation of the rovibrational states and intensities for a symmetric top-linear molecule dimer: Hamiltonian, basis set, and matrix elements

The rovibrational energy levels and intensities of the CH₃F-H₂ dimer have been obtained using our recent global intermolecular potential energy surface [X.-L. Zhang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 148, 124302 (2018)]. The Hamiltonian, basis set, and matrix elements are derived and given for a symmetric top-linear molecule complex. This approach to the generation of energy levels and wavefunctions can readily be utilized for studying the rovibrational spectra of other van der Waals complexes composed of a symmetric top molecule and a linear molecule, and may readily be extended to other complexes of nonlinear molecules and linear molecules. To confirm our method, the rovibrational levels of the H₂O-H₂ dimer have been computed and shown to be in good agreement with experiment and with previous theoretical results. The rovibrational Schrödinger equation has been solved using a Lanczos algorithm together with an uncoupled product basis set. As expected, dimers containing ortho-H₂ are more strongly bound than dimers containing para-H₂. Energies and wavefunctions of the discrete rovibrational levels of CH₃F-paraH₂ complexes obtained from the direct vibrationally averaged 5-dimensional potentials are in good agreement with the results of the reduced 3-dimensional adiabatic-hindered-rotor (AHR) approximation. Accurate calculations of the transition line strengths for the orthoCH₃F-paraH₂ complex are also carried out, and are consistent with results obtained using the AHR approximation. The microwave spectrum associated with the orthoCH₃F-orthoH₂ dimer has been predicted for the first time.

Experimental and theoretical investigations of H2O-Ar

We have used continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy to record the spectrum of H₂O-Ar in the 2OH excitation range of H₂O. 24 sub-bands have been observed. Their rotational structure (T_rot = 12 K) is analyzed and the lines are fitted separately for ortho and para species together with microwave and far infrared data from the literature, with a unitless standard deviation σ=0.98 and 1.31, respectively. Their vibrational analysis is supported by a theoretical input based on an intramolecular potential energy surface obtained through ab initio calculations and computation of the rotational energy of sub-states of the complex with the water monomer in excited vibrational states up to the first hexad. For the ground and (010) vibrational states, the theoretical results agree well with experimental energies and rotational constants in the literature. For the excited vibrational states of the first hexad, they guided the assignment of the observed sub-bands. The upper state vibrational predissociation lifetime is estimated to be 3 ns from observed spectral linewidths.

Analytic Morse/long-range potential energy surfaces and "adiabatic-hindered-rotor" treatment for a symmetric top-linear molecule dimer: A case study of CH3F-H2

A first effective six-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for CH₃F-H₂ which explicitly includes the intramolecular Q₃ stretching normal mode of the CH₃F monomer is presented. The electronic structure computations have been carried out at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster level of theory [CCSD(T)-F12a] with an augmented correlation-consistent triple zeta basis set. Five-dimensional analytical intermolecular PESs for ν₃(CH₃F) = 0 and 1 are then obtained by fitting the vibrationally averaged potentials to the Morse/Long-Range (MLR) potential function form. The MLR function form is applied to the nonlinear molecule-linear molecule case for the first time. These fits to 25 015 points have root-mean-square deviations of 0.74 cm^-1 and 0.082 cm^-1 for interaction energies less than 0.0 cm^-1. Using the adiabatic hindered-rotor approximation, three-dimensional PESs for CH₃F-paraH₂ are generated from the 5D PESs over all possible orientations of the hydrogen monomer. The infrared and microwave spectra for CH₃F-paraH₂ dimer are predicted for the first time. These analytic PESs can be used for modeling the dynamical behavior in CH₃F-(H₂)_N clusters, including the possible appearance of microscopic superfluidity.

Rovibrational quantum dynamical computations for deuterated isotopologues of the methane–water dimer

Rovibrational states of methane–water isotopologues are computed in a variational procedure and the wave functions are analyzed in terms of the rigid-rotor and coupled-rotors models.

A new ab initio intermolecular potential energy surface and predicted rotational spectra of the Ne-H2S complex

We report a new three-dimensional ab initio intermolecular potential energy surface for the Ne-H(2)S complex with H(2)S monomer fixed at its experimental average structure. Using the supermolecular approach, the intermolecular potential energies were evaluated at CCSD(T) (coupled cluster with single and double and perturbative triple excitations) level with large basis sets including bond functions. The full counterpoise procedure was employed to correct the basis set superposition error. The planar T-shaped global minimum is located at the intermolecular distance of 3.51 Å with a well depth of 71.57 cm(-1). An additional planar local minimum was found to be separated from the global minimum with an energy barrier of 23.11 cm(-1). In addition, two first-order and one second-order saddle points were also located. The combined radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation method and the Lanczos algorithm were employed to evaluate the rovibrational energy levels for eight isotopic species of the Ne-H(2)S complexes. The rotational transition frequencies for the eight isotopomers were also determined for the ground and first vibrational excited states, which are all in very good agreement with the available experimental values.

Sympathetic cooling of polyatomic molecules with S-state atoms in a magnetic trap

We present a rigorous theoretical study of low-temperature collisions of polyatomic molecular radicals with (1)S(0) atoms in the presence of an external magnetic field. Accurate quantum scattering calculations based on ab initio and scaled interaction potentials show that collision-induced spin relaxation of the prototypical organic molecule CH(2)(X(3)B(1)) (methylene) and nine other triatomic radicals in cold (3)He gas occurs at a slow rate, demonstrating that cryogenic buffer-gas cooling and magnetic trapping of these molecules is feasible with current technology. Our calculations further suggest that it may be possible to create ultracold gases of polyatomic molecules by sympathetic cooling with alkaline-earth atoms in a magnetic trap.

Theoretical studies of potential energy surface and rotational spectra of Xe-H(2)O van der Waals complex

In this work we report an ab initio intermolecular potential energy surface and theoretical spectroscopic studies for Xe-H(2)O complex. The ab initio energies are calculated with CCSD(T) method and large basis sets (aug-cc-pVQZ for H and O and aug-cc-pVQZ-PP for Xe) augmented by a {3s3p2d2f1g} set of bond functions. This potential energy surface has a global minimum corresponding to a planar and nearly linear hydrogen bonded configuration with a well depth of 192.5 cm(-1) at intermolecular distance of 4.0 A, which is consistent with the previous determined potential by Wen and Jager [J. Phys. Chem. A 110, 7560 (2006)]. The bound state calculations have been performed for the complex by approximating the water molecule as a rigid rotor. The theoretical rotational transition frequencies, isotopic shifts, nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, and structure parameters are in good agreement with the experimental observed values. The wavefunctions are analyzed to understand the dynamics of the ground and the first excited states.

Rotational Spectroscopic and ab Initio Studies of the Xe−H2O van der Waals Dimer

An ab initio potential energy surface of the Xe-H(2)O van der Waals dimer was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and pertubatively included triple excitations. For the Xe atom, the small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta (aug-cc-pVQZ-PP) basis set was used. Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set was chosen for O and H atoms. Midbond functions were used to supplement the atom-centered basis sets. Rotational spectra of the Xe-H(2)O van der Waals dimer were recorded with a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions within two internal rotor states, namely, the 0(00) and 1(01) states, were measured and assigned. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the (131)Xe (I = (3)/(2)), D (I = 1) and (17)O (I = (5)/(2)) nuclei were also observed and analyzed. Information about the molecular structure and the H(2)O angular motions was extracted from the spectroscopic results with the assistance of the ab initio potential.

Intracluster stereochemistry in van der Waals complexes: Steric effects in ultraviolet photodissociation of state-selected Ar–HOD/H2O

High-resolution IR-UV multiple resonance methods are employed to elucidate the photodissociation dynamics of quantum state-selected Ar-HOD and Ar-H(2)O van der Waals clusters. A single mode pulsed OPO operating in the region of the OH second overtone is used to prepare individual rovibrational states that are selectively photodissociated at specific excimer wavelengths. Subsequent fluorescence excitation of the resulting OH (OD) fragments yields dynamical information on the photofragmentation event and any resulting intracluster collisions. This technique is used to characterize spectroscopically the Pi(1(01)), nu(OH)=3<--Sigma(0(00)), v(OH)=0 overtone band of the Ar-HOD complex with an origin at 10648.27 cm(-1). The effects of Ar complexation on the dissociation dynamics are inferred by comparison of the OD photofragment quantum state distributions resulting from dissociation of single rovibrational states of the complex with those from isolated HOD photodissociation. The important role played by the initial internal state of the complex is demonstrated by comparison of the current Ar-HOD data with previously published results for the Ar-H(2)O Sigma(0(00))[03(-)> state. We interpret the dramatic differences in the dynamics of the two systems as manifestations of the nodal structure of the vibrational state in the parent complex and the way in which it governs the collision probability between the Ar atom and the escaping photofragments.