Vibrational autoionization and predissociation in high Rydberg states of nitric oxide

Long-range model of vibrational autoionization in core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states of NO

In high orbital angular momentum (ℓ ≥ 3) Rydberg states, the centrifugal barrier hinders the close approach of the Rydberg electron to the ion-core. As a result, these core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states can be well described by a simplified model in which the Rydberg electron is only weakly perturbed by the long-range electric properties (i.e., multipole moments and polarizabilities) of the ion-core. We have used a long-range model to describe the vibrational autoionization dynamics of high-ℓ Rydberg states of nitric oxide (NO). In particular, our model explains the extensive angular momentum exchange between the ion-core and the Rydberg electron that had been previously observed in vibrational autoionization of f (ℓ = 3) Rydberg states. These results shed light on a long-standing mechanistic question around these previous observations and support a direct, vibrational mechanism of autoionization over an indirect, predissociation-mediated mechanism. In addition, our model correctly predicts newly measured total decay rates of g (ℓ = 4) Rydberg states because for ℓ ≥ 4, the non-radiative decay is dominated by autoionization rather than predissociation. We examine the predicted NO⁺ ion rotational state distributions generated by vibrational autoionization of g states and discuss applications of our model to achieve quantum state selection in the production of molecular ions.

Dynamics of dissociative recombination versus electron ejection in single rovibronic resonances of BH

Optical-optical-optical triple resonance spectroscopy isolates transitions to vibrationless Rydberg states of BH with principal quantum numbers from n=7 to 50. Corresponding resonances appear in the excitation spectrum of excited boron atoms produced by the dissociative relaxation of these states. The decay to neutral products occurs on a nanosecond time scale. Yet, corresponding resonances show Fano coupling widths that approach 1 cm-1. Above threshold, spontaneous ionization dominates, but line shapes match for resonances with the same electron orbital quantum numbers built on v+=0 and v+=1 cores. This striking feature-for-feature similarity in predissociation and autoionization line shapes affirms that inelastic electron-cation scattering pathways leading to electron ejection and dissociative recombination proceed through a common continuum.

Optical-optical double resonance photoionization spectroscopy of nf Rydberg states of nitric oxide

The spectra of vibrationally excited nf Rydberg states of nitric oxide were recorded by monitoring the photoion current produced using two-photon double resonance excitation via the NO A (2)Sigma(+) state followed by photoexcitation of the Rydberg state that undergoes autoionization. The optical transition intensities from NO A state to nf Rydberg states were calculated, and the results agree closely with experiment. These results combined with circular dichroism measurements allow us to assign rotational quantum numbers to the nf Rydberg states even in a spectrum of relatively low resolution. We report the positions of these nf (upsilon,N,N(c)) Rydberg levels converging to the NO X (1)Sigma(+) upsilon(+) = 1 and 2 ionization limits where N is the total angular momentum excluding electron and nuclear spin and N(c) represents the rotational quantum number of the ion core. Our two-color optical-optical double resonance measurements cover the range of N from 15 to 28, N(c) from 14 to 29, and the principal quantum number n from 9 to 21. The electrostatic interaction between the Rydberg electron and the ion core is used to account for the rotational fine structure and a corresponding model is used to fit the energy levels to obtain the quadrupole moment and polarizability of the NO(+) core. Comparison with a multichannel quantum defect theory fit to the same data confirms that the model we use for the electrostatic interaction between the nf Rydberg electron and the ion core of NO well describes the rotational fine structure.

"Spectrum-only" assignment of core-penetrating and core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states of calcium monofluoride

Rydberg states of calcium monofluoride in the n* = 17–20 region have been observed by ionization-detected optical–optical double-resonance spectroscopy via the D2Σ+ v = 1 intermediate state. All members of the six core-penetrating Rydberg series in the n* = 17–20 region and several components of the 17f and 17g core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states have been assigned. While the assignment of core-penetrating Rydberg states is straightforward without use of an effective Hamiltonian model, "spectrum-only" assignment of core-nonpenetrating states is complicated because strong l-uncoupling causes the core-nonpenetrating states to evolve rapidly from Hund's case (b) to Hund's case (d) coupling. We describe "spectrum-only" assignment procedures, developed in the spirit of Gerhard Herzberg, that can be used to assign optical–optical double-resonance spectra of core-penetrating and core-nonpenetrating Rydberg states using only information contained in the spectrum rather than predictions derived from an effective Hamiltonian model. The ambiguities that arise in the assignment of each class of states are discussed in detail.Key words: CaF, electric quadrupole moment, Rydberg states, laser spectroscopy.

Partial-wave decomposition of the ionization continuum accessed by vibrational autoionization of the NO 14s ( nu = 1, N = 20, N(+)(R) = 20) level

Rotationally resolved photoelectron angular distributions from vibrational autoionization of the NO 14s ( nu = 1, N = 20, N(+)(R) = 20) level are measured by photoelectron spectroscopy, and they are analyzed using a theoretical model based on first-order coupling between the Rydberg level and the ionization continuum. The analysis reveals that lambda-changing collisions and l-changing collisions between the molecular-ion core and the outgoing electron are comparable in magnitude and account for 40% of the partial waves produced in the ionization continuum.