Formation of O(3Pj) photofragments from the Hartley band photodissociation of ozone at 226 nm

Ozone Photodissociation in the Singlet Channel at 226 nm

We report the rotational state distribution and vector correlations of the O₂(a ¹Δ_g, v = 0) fragments arising from the 226 nm photodissociation of jet-cooled O₃. Consistent with previously reported trends, the rotational distribution is shifted to higher rotational states with decreasing wavelength. We observe highly suppressed odd rotational state populations due to a strong Λ-doublet propensity. The measured rotational distribution is in agreement with classical trajectory calculations for the v = 0 products, although the distribution is slightly narrower than predicted. The spatial anisotropy follows the previously observed trend of decreasing β with increasing photon energy with β = 0.72 ± 0.14 for v = 0, j = 38. As expected for a triatomic molecule, the v-j correlation is consistent with v perpendicular to j, but the measured correlation is nonlimiting due, in part, to rotational and translational depolarization. The j-dependent line width of the O₂(a ¹Δ_g) REMPI spectrum is also discussed in connection with the lifetime of the resonant O₂(d ¹Π_g) state due to predissociation via the II ¹Π_g valence state.

Vibrational energy transfer in O2(X 3sigma(g)-, upsilon=2,3) + O2 collisions at 330 K

Vibrational relaxation of O2(X 3sigma(g)-, upsilon=2,3) by O2 molecules is studied via a two-laser approach. Laser radiation at 266 nm photodissociates ozone in a mixture of molecular oxygen and ozone. The photolysis step produces vibrationally excited O2(a 1delta(g)) that is rapidly converted to O2(X 3sigma(g)-, upsilon=2,3) in a near-resonant adiabatic electronic energy-transfer process involving collisions with ground-state O2. The output of a tunable 193-nm ArF laser monitors the temporal evolution of the O2(X 3sigma(g)-, upsilon=2,3) population via laser-induced fluorescence detected near 360 nm. The rate coefficients for the vibrational relaxation of O2(X 3sigma(g)-, upsilon=2,3) in collision with O2 are 2.0(-0.4)(+0.6) x 10(-13) cm3 s(-1) and (2.6+/-0.4) x 10(-13) cm3 s(-1), respectively. These rate coefficients agree well with other experimental work but are significantly larger than those produced by various semiclassical theoretical calculations.

Theory of the photodissociation of ozone in the Hartley continuum: Potential energy surfaces, conical intersections, and photodissociation dynamics

Ab initio potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces are presented for the five lowest singlet even symmetry electronic states of ozone. The surfaces are calculated using the complete active space self consistent field method followed by contracted multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations. A slightly reduced augmented correlation consistent valence triple-zeta orbital basis set is used. The ground and excited state energies of the molecule have been computed at 9282 separate nuclear geometries. Cuts through the potential energy surfaces, which pass through the geometry of the minimum of the ground electronic state, show several closely avoided crossings. Close examination, and higher level calculations, very strongly suggests that some of these seemingly avoided crossings are in fact associated with non-symmetry related conical intersections. Diabatic potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces are created from the computed ab initio adiabatic MRCI energies and transition dipole moments. The transition dipole moment connecting the ground electronic state to the diabatic B state surface is by far the strongest. Vibrational-rotational wavefunctions and energies are computed using the ground electronic state. The energy level separations compare well with experimentally determined values. The ground vibrational state wavefunction is then used, together with the diabatic B<--X transition dipole moment surface, to form an initial wavepacket. The analysis of the time-dependent quantum dynamics of this wavepacket provides the total and partial photodissociation cross sections for the system. Both the total absorption cross section and the predicted product quantum state distributions compare well with experimental observations. A discussion is also given as to how the observed alternation in product diatom rotational state populations might be explained.

The triplet channel in the photodissociation of ozone in the Hartley band: Classical trajectory surface hopping analysis

The triplet channel in the photodissociation of ozone in the Hartley band, O3 + hv-->O(3P) + O2(3sigma), is investigated by means of a classical trajectory surface hopping method using ab initio diabatic potential energy surfaces for the B and the R states. Because of the strong recoil in the R state along the breaking O-O bond, O2(3sigma) is produced with a high rotational energy. The nonadiabatic transition probability depends markedly on the coordinate along the crossing seam. As a consequence a unique correlation is found between the internuclear geometry at the crossing and the final vibrational state of O2(3sigma). The calculated distribution of the translational energy is in good accord with the measured distribution.

Theory of the photodissociation of ozone in the Hartley continuum; effect of vibrational excitation and O(1D) atom velocity distribution

The effect of vibrational excitation on the photodissociation cross section of ozone in the Hartley continuum is examined. The calculations make use of newly computed potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces. The initial vibrational states of the ozone are computed using grid based techniques and the first few ab initio computed vibrational energy level spacings agree to within 10 cm(-1) with experimental values. The computed total absorption cross sections arising from different initial vibrational states of ozone are discussed in the light of the nature of the transition dipole moment surface. The computed cross section for excitation from the ground vibrational-rotational state is in good agreement with the experimentally measured cross section. Excitation of the asymmetric stretching vibration of ozone has a marked effect on both the form and magnitude of the photodissociation cross section. The velocity distributions of highly reactive O(1D) atoms arising from the photodissociation process in different wavelength ranges is also presented. The results show that the O(1D) atoms travel with a most probable translational velocity of 2.030 km s(-1) corresponding to a translational energy of 0.342 eV or 33.0 kJ mol(-1).

The "Ozone Deficit" Problem: O2(X, v ge 26) + O(3P) from 226-nm Ozone Photodissociation

Highly vibrationally excited O(2)(X(3)sigmag(-), v >/= 26) has been observed from the photodissociation of ozone (O(3)), and the quantum yield for this reaction has been determined for excitation at 226 nanometers. This observation may help to address the "ozone deficit" problem, or why the previously predicted stratospheric O(3) concentration is less than that observed. Recent kinetic studies have suggested that O(2)(X(3)sigmag(-), v >/= 26) can react rapidly with O(2) to form O(3) + O and have led to speculation that, if produced in the photodissociation of O(3), this species might be involved in resolving the discrepancy. The sequence O(3) + hv --> O(2)(X(3)sigmag(-), v >/= 26) + O; O(2)(X(3)sigmag(-), v >/= 26) + O(2) --> O(3) + O (where hv is a photon) would be an autocatalytic mechanism for production of odd oxygen. A two-dimensional atmospheric model has been used to evaluate the importance of this new mechanism. The new mechanism can completely account for the tropical O(3) deficit at an altitude of 43 kilometers, but it does not completely account for the deficit at higher altitudes. The mechanism also provides for isotopic fractionation and may contribute to an explanation for the anomalously high concentration of heavy O(3) in the stratosphere.