Photoelectron spectroscopy from the à 1Au state of acetylene: The bending vibrations of C2H+2 X 2Πu

Interference in acetylene intersystem crossing acts as the molecular analog of Young's double-slit experiment

We report on an experimental approach that reveals crucial details of the composition of singlet-triplet mixed eigenstates in acetylene. Intersystem crossing in this prototypical polyatomic molecule embodies the mixing of the lowest excited singlet state (S(1)) with 3 triplet states (T(1), T(2), and T(3)). Using high-energy (157-nm) photons from an F(2) laser to record excited-state photoelectron spectra, we have decomposed the mixed eigenstates into their S(1), T(3), T(2), and T(1) constituent parts. One example of the interpretive power that ensues from the selective sensitivity of the experiment to the individual electronic state characters is the discovery and examination of destructive interference between two doorway-mediated intersystem crossing pathways. This observation of an interference effect in nonradiative decay opens up possibilities for rational coherent control over molecular excited state dynamics.

Experimental determination of the nu5 cis-bending vibrational frequency and Renner-Teller structure in ground state (X2Piu) C2H2+ using laser induced reactions

The spectrum of the nu(5) cis-bending vibration of ground state (X(2)Pi(u)) C(2)H(2)(+) has been recorded applying the method of laser induced reactions in a low-temperature 22-pole ion trap. It is obtained by counting the number of products of the reaction C(2)H(2)(+) (v(5) = 1) + H(2)--> C(2)H(3)(+) + H as a function of the laser wavelength. The vibronic transitions Delta-Pi and Sigma-Pi with their corresponding spin-orbit and Renner-Teller substructure have been observed. Using a perturbative analysis, the vibrational frequency has been determined to omega(5) = (710 +/- 4) cm(-1) and the Renner-Teller parameter epsilon(5) is on the order of 3 x 10(-2).

Intermolecular interaction in an open-shell π-bound cationic complex: IR spectrum and coupled cluster calculations for C2H2+-Ar

The intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of Ar interacting with the acetylene cation in its (2)Pi(u) ground electronic state is characterized by infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. In agreement with the theoretical predictions, the rovibrational analysis of the IRPD spectrum of C(2)H(2) (+)-Ar recorded in the vicinity of the antisymmetric CH stretching fundamental (nu(3)) is consistent with a vibrationally averaged T-shaped structure and a ground-state center-of-mass separation of R(c.m.) = 2.86 +/- 0.09 A. The nu(3) band experiences a blueshift of 16.7 cm(-1) upon complexation, indicating that vibrational excitation slightly reduces the interaction strength. The two-dimensional intermolecular PES of C(2)H(2) (+)-Ar, obtained from coupled cluster calculations with a large basis set, features strong angular-radial coupling and supports in addition to a global pi-bound minimum also two shallow side wells with linear H-bound geometries. Bound state rovibrational energy level calculations are carried out for rotational angular momentum J = 0-10 (both parities) employing a discrete variable representation-distributed Gaussian basis method. Effective spectroscopic constants are determined for the vibrational ground state by fitting the calculated rotational energies to the standard Watson A-type Hamiltonian for a slightly asymmetric prolate top.