Rydberg states and ionization potential of calcium monofluoride

Analysis of vibrational autoionization of CaF Rydberg states

We report calculations of vibrational autoionization rates of CaF Rydberg states, based on the results of a global multi-channel quantum defect theory (MQDT) fit. Our goal is to use intuitive physical models to interpret and extend the results from the MQDT calculations and, in particular, to characterize the physical mechanisms for the interaction between the Rydberg electron and the ion-core. The calculations indicate that, among the six strongly l-mixed core-penetrating (CP) Rydberg series of CaF, the n.36 p^Π Rydberg series has the fastest Δv = 1 vibrational autoionization rate, which is at least four times larger than that for the other CP Rydberg series, in agreement with experimental results. We first demonstrate that the rotational level dependence of the vibrational autoionization rate of the n.36 p^Π series is satisfactorily explained by l-uncoupling interactions, which differ for the positive and negative Kronig symmetry levels. Next, we interpret the relative vibrational autoionization rates of all six CP Rydberg series in the context of a valence-precursor (VP) model. The VP model is a consequence of Mulliken's rule, which states that the innermost lobe of the Rydberg wavefunction remains invariant in both the nodal position and shape for members of the same Rydberg series. The electronic properties of the six VP states, which are the terminus states (lowest-n) of each of the six CP Rydberg series, are further characterized in terms of a ligand-field model, providing insight into the intimate relationship between the Rydberg electron density in the ion-core region and the vibrational autoionization rate.

Electronic structure of the polar molecules XF (X: Be, Mg, Ca) with rovibrational and dipole moment calculations

A theoretical investigation for the feasibility of laser-cooling is performed through the calculation of accurate potential energy curves, static dipole moments, spectroscopic constants and rovibrational calculations for 24, 26 and 27 highly excited electronic states for BeF, CaF and MgF molecules respectively. In order to understand the electronic structure of their lowest lying electronic states and to learn the characteristic behavior of their chemical bonding, a high level of calculation is realized by using the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) with multi-reference configuration interaction MRCI method including single and double excitations with Davidson correction (+Q) for the three considered molecules. The comparison between the values of the present work and those available in the literature for several electronic states shows a good agreement. Fifty new excited electronic states have been investigated, in the present work, for the first time for the three studied molecules.

Rubidium on Helium Droplets: Analysis of an Exotic Rydberg Complex for n* < 20 and 0 ≤ l ≤ 3

Rubidium atom Rydberg states perturbed by helium droplets of different sizes provide insight into the role of a nanosized dielectric on the Coulomb potential. The observation of droplet size-dependent shifts of excited states with respect to bare atom states is explained by a decreased quantum defect and a lowered ionization threshold. Within the scope of a Rydberg model, we demonstrate that quantum defects and ionization potentials are constant for each specific Rydberg series, which confirms the Rydberg character of excited Rubidium states on helium droplets. A set of six Rydberg series could be identified. Individual Rydberg states are observed with effective principal quantum numbers up to n* ≈ 19 and l ≤ 3, for which the expectation value of the electron orbital radius is about 10 times larger than the droplet radius.

Reactions of Methyl Fluoride with Atomic Transition-Metal and Main-Group Cations: Gas-Phase Room-Temperature Kinetics and Periodicities in Reactivity

Reactions of CH(3)F have been surveyed systematically at room temperature with 46 different atomic cations using an inductively coupled plasma/selected-ion flow tube tandem mass spectrometer. Rate coefficients and product distributions were measured for the reactions of fourth-period atomic ions from K(+) to Se(+), of fifth-period atomic ions from Rb(+) to Te(+) (excluding Tc(+)), and of sixth-period atomic ions from Cs(+) to Bi(+). Primary reaction channels were observed corresponding to F atom transfer, CH(3)F addition, HF elimination, and H(2) elimination. The early-transition-metal cations exhibit a much more active chemistry than the late-transition-metal cations, and there are periodic features in the chemical activity and reaction efficiency that maximize with Ti(+), As(+), Y(+), Hf(+), and Pt(+). F atom transfer appears to be thermodynamically controlled, although a periodic variation in efficiency is observed within the early-transition-metal cations which maximizes with Ti(+), Y(+), and Hf(+). Addition of CH(3)F was observed exclusively (>99%) with the late-fourth-period cations from Mn(+) to Ga(+), the fifth-period cations from Ru(+) to Te(+), and the sixth-period cations from Hg(+) to Bi(+) as well as Re(+). Periodic trends are observed in the effective bimolecular rate coefficient for CH(3)F addition, and these are consistent with expected trends in the electrostatic binding energies of the adduct ions and measured trends in the standard free energy of addition. HF elimination is the major reaction channel with As(+), while dehydrogenation dominates the reactions of W(+), Os(+), Ir(+), and Pt(+). Sequential F atom transfer is observed with the early-transition-metal cations, with the number of F atoms transferred increasing across the periodic table from two to four, maximizing at four for the group 5 cations Nb(+)(d(4)) and Ta(+)(d(3)s(1)), and stopping at two with V(+)(d(4)). Sequential CH(3)F addition was observed with many atomic cations and all of the metal mono- and multifluoride cations that were formed.

Broad shape resonance effects in CaF Rydberg states

Results of ab initio R-matrix calculations [S. N. Altunata et al., J. Chem. Phys. 123, 084319 (2005)] indicate the presence of a broad shape resonance in electron-CaF(+) scattering for the (2)Sigma(+) electronic symmetry near the ionization threshold. The properties of this shape resonance are analyzed using the adiabatic partial-wave expansion of the scattered electron wave function introduced by Le Dourneuf et al. [J. Phys. B 15, L685 (1982)]. The qualitative aspects of the shape resonance are explained by an adiabatic approximation on the electronic motion. Mulliken's rule for the structure of the Rydberg state wave functions [R. S. Mulliken, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86, 3183 (1964)] specifies that, except for an (n*)(-32) amplitude scale factor, every excited state wave function within one Rydberg series is built on an innermost lobe that remains invariant in shape and nodal position as a function of the excitation energy. Mulliken's rule implies a weak energy dependence of the quantum defects for an unperturbed molecular Rydberg series, which is given by the Rydberg-Ritz formula. This zero-order picture is violated by a single (2)Sigma(+) CaF Rydberg series at all Rydberg state energies (n*=5-->infinity, more so with increasing n*) below the ionization threshold, under the broad width of the shape resonance. Such a violation is diagnostic of a global "scarring" of the Rydberg spectrum, which is distinct from the more familiar local level perturbations.

Properties of nearly one-electron molecules. I. An iterative Green function approach to calculating the reaction matrix

An ab initio R-matrix method for determining the molecular reaction matrix of scattering theory is introduced. The method makes use of a principal-value Green function to compute the collision channel wave functions for the scattered electron, in combination with the Kohn variational scheme for the evaluation of R-matrix eigenvalues on a spherical boundary surface at short range. This technique permits the size of the bounded volume in the variational calculation to be reduced, making the computations fast and efficient. The reaction matrix is determined in a form that minimizes its energy dependence. Thus the procedure does not require modification or an increase in the computational effort to study the electronic structure and dynamics in Rydberg molecules with extremely polar ion cores. The analysis is specialized to examine the bound-state and free-electron scattering properties of nearly one-electron molecular systems, which are characterized by a Rydberg/scattering electron incident on a closed-shell ion core. However, it is shown that the treatment is compatible with all-electron/ab initio representations of open-shell and nonlinear polyatomic ion cores, emphasizing its generality. The introduced approach is used to calculate the electronic spectrum of the calcium monofluoride molecule, which has the extremely polar (Ca+2F-)+e- closed-shell ion-core configuration. The calculation utilizes an effective single-electron potential determined by M. Arif, C. Jungen, and A. L. Roche [J. Chem. Phys. 106, 4102 (1997)] previously. Close agreement with experimental data is obtained. The results demonstrate the practical utility of this method as a viable alternative to the standard variational approaches.

"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.

Core-Penetrating Rydberg Series of BaF: Single-State and Two-State Fits of New Electronic States in the 4.4 </= n* </= 14.3 Region

We report results of optical-optical double-resonance studies of the Rydberg states of the BaF molecule in the energy region of E = 33 100-38 200 cm(-1) (4.4 </= n* </= 14.3). Barium monofluoride molecules have been produced in a resistively heated high-temperature oven from BaF(2) powder mixed with a small amount of boron powder. We have observed more than 50 new electronic states. Forty-nine of them have been rotationally analyzed and assigned to eight Rydberg series (four (2)Sigma(+), one (2)Pi, two (2)Delta, and one (2)Phi). Single-state and two-state fits have been carried out. Multiple local perturbations have been analyzed. Formation of supercomplexes in the Rydberg spectrum of BaF has been discussed. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Analysis and Deperturbation of the A(2)Pi and B(2)Sigma(+) States of CaF

A laser excitation spectrum of the (0, 0) and (1, 1) bands of the CaF A(2)Pi-X(2)Sigma(+) system was recorded. The present set of molecular constants for both A(2)Pi and B(2)Sigma(&plus:) states represents a vast improvement in precision over previously reported values because of the larger number of line position measurements and the use of a more reasonable effective Hamiltonian model which accounts explicitly for the A approximately B interaction via off-diagonal matrix elements. The principal constants (in cm(-1)) are where uncertainties of 1varsigma are given in parentheses. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The Electronic Structure of CaCl: Calculation by R Matrix and Generalized Quantum Defect Theory

The electronic spectrum of CaCl has been calculated using the variational eigenchannel R-matrix method combined with generalized multichannel quantum defect theory. The motion of the unpaired (Rydberg) electron is represented as a double scattering process on the closed-shell Ca(++) and Cl(-) core ions. Electron penetration into Ca(++) is taken into account as well as polarization effects. The partial saturation of the Cl(-) free-ion polarizability is evaluated on the basis of an ab initio calculation of the dipole and quadrupole moments of the CaCl(+) ion core. The calculations reproduce the effective principal quantum numbers nu of the experimentally known states (including the ground state) to within approximately 0.04. States with high-orbital angular momentum up to l = 6 are predicted. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Double-Resonance Spectroscopic Studies of Core-Penetrating Rydberg States of CaCl

Six core-penetrating Rydberg series have been assigned in the CaCl molecule by a combination of double-resonance spectroscopic techniques. Two 2Sigma+ series, with approximate quantum defects (delta) of 0.51 and 0.25, have been observed with effective principal quantum numbers (n*) in the range of 5-8 using the D2Sigma+ state as the resonant intermediate state for REMPI and/or ion-dip detection. A third 2Sigma+ series with delta approximately 0.84 and a 2Delta series with delta approximately 0.95 have been observed with n* = 16-18 using the A2Pi3/2 state as the resonant intermediate state for preparation of v+ = 1 vibrationally autoionizing states. Two additional series in the same region with delta approximately 0.90 and 0.07 are tentatively identified as the expected core-penetrating 2Pi series. Vibrational assignments have been confirmed in many cases on the basis of isotope shifts between the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopomers. The ion-dip and REMPI spectra display linewidths systematically broadened by predissociation. In addition to the assigned core-penetrating series, both the REMPI and the ion-dip spectra display some sharper features that have not yet been assigned. These sharper features most likely arise from perturbations of optically "bright" core-penetrating states by nominally "dark" higher-l core-nonpenetrating states. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The Predissociation Mechanism for 2Sigma+ Rydberg States of CaCl

This work summarizes experimental results from recent ion-dip spectroscopy studies of CaCl and from previously unpublished optical-optical double-resonance work with specific regard to predissociation processes of 2Sigma+ Rydberg states in the low n* (n* = 7, IP - En* = 2240 cm-1) region. A single repulsive state (assigned as 2Sigma+) was found to be responsible for all observed predissociations of 2Sigma+ Rydberg states. The n*-dependent internuclear distances of the intersections between Rydberg states and the repulsive 2Sigma+ state were determined through the use of trial-and-error Franck-Condon calculations. Values of energy-descaled electronic matrix elements governing the Rydberg left and right arrow repulsive state interaction were obtained from the measured linewidths (0.6 < Gamma < 1.2 cm-1) and computed Franck-Condon densities. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.