VIBRATIONAL AUTOIONIZATION IN POLYATOMIC MOLECULES

Quantum-classical dynamics of vibration-induced autoionization in molecules

We present a novel method for the simulation of the vibration-induced autoionization dynamics in molecular anions in the framework of the quantum-classical surface hopping approach. Classical trajectories starting from quantum initial conditions are propagated on a quantum-mechanical potential energy surface while allowing for autoionization through transitions into discretized continuum states. These transitions are induced by the couplings between the electronic states of the bound anionic system and the electron-detached system composed of the neutral molecule and the free electron. A discretization scheme for the detached system is introduced, and a set of formulas is derived that enable the approximate calculation of couplings between the bound and free-electron states. We demonstrate our method on the example of the anion of vinylidene, a high-energy isomer of acetylene, for which detailed experimental data are available. Our results provide information on the time scale of the autoionization process and give insight into the energetic and angular distribution of the ejected electrons, as well as the associated changes in the molecular geometry. We identify the formation of structures with reduced C-C bond lengths and T-like conformations through bending of the CH₂ group with respect to the C-C axis and point out the role of autoionization as a driving process for the isomerization to acetylene.

Photoionization, Structures and Energetics of Na-doped Formic Acid-Water Clusters

The influence of formic acid on water cluster aggregation has been investigated experimentally by mass spectrometry and tunable UV laser ionization applied to Na-doped clusters formed in the supersonic expansion of water vapors seeded with formic acid (FA) as well as theoretically using high level quantum chemistry methods. The mass spectra of Na-FA(H 2 O) n clusters show an enlarging of mass distribution toward heavier clusters with respect the Na-(H 2 O) n clusters, suggesting similar mass distribution in neutral clusters and an influence of formic acid in water aggregation. DFT and coupled-cluster type (DLPNO-CCSD(T)) calculations have been used to calculate structures and energetics of neutral and ionized Na-FA(H 2 O) n as well as neutral FA(H 2 O) n . Na-doped clusters are characterized by very stable geometries. The theoretical adiabatic ionization potential values match pretty well the measured appearance energies and the calculated first six electronic excited states show Rydberg-type characters, indicating possible autoionization contributions in the mass spectra. Finally, theoretical calculation on neutral FA(H 2 O) n clusters show the possibility of a similarly stable structures in small clusters containing up to n=4-5 water molecules, where FA interacts significantly with waters.This suggests that FA can compete with water molecules in the starting stage of the aggregation process, by forming stable nucleation seed.

Coherent two-dimensional electronic mass spectrometry

Coherent two-dimensional (2D) optical spectroscopy has revolutionized our ability to probe many types of couplings and ultrafast dynamics in complex quantum systems. The dynamics and function of any quantum system strongly depend on couplings to the environment. Thus, studying coherent interactions for different environments remains a topic of tremendous interest. Here we introduce coherent 2D electronic mass spectrometry that allows 2D measurements on effusive molecular beams and thus on quantum systems with minimum system–bath interaction and employ this to identify the major ionization pathway of 3d Rydberg states in NO₂. Furthermore, we present 2D spectra of multiphoton ionization, disclosing distinct differences in the nonlinear response functions leading to the ionization products. We also realize the equivalent of spectrally resolved transient-absorption measurements without the necessity for acquiring weak absorption changes. Using time-of-flight detection introduces cations as an observable, enabling the 2D spectroscopic study on isolated systems of photophysical and photochemical reactions.

Multidimensional spectroscopy is a powerful tool in exploring photo-induced dynamics and electron coupling processes in molecules. Here the authors demonstrate coherent two-dimensional electronic mass spectrometry on molecular beams and its application to photoionization studies of the NO₂ molecule.

Vibrational autoionization of state-selective jet-cooled methanethiol (CH3SH) investigated with infrared + vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization

Vibrational autoionization of Rydberg states provides key information about nonadiabatic processes above an ionization threshold. We employed time-of-flight mass detection of CH₃SH⁺ to record vibrational-state selective photo-ionization efficiency (PIE) spectra of jet-cooled methanethiol (CH₃SH) on exciting CH₃SH to a specific vibrationally excited state with an infrared (IR) laser, followed by excitation with a tunable laser in the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) region for ionization. Autoionizing Rydberg states assigned to the ns, np, nd and nf series are identified. When IR light at 2601 (ν₃, SH stretching mode) and 2948 cm^-1 (ν₂, CH₃ symmetric stretching mode) was employed, the Rydberg series converged to the respective vibrationally excited (ν₃ and ν₂) states of CH₃SH⁺. When IR light at 3014 cm^-1 (overlapped ν₁/ν₉, CH₃ antisymmetric stretching and CH₂ antisymmetric stretching modes) was employed, Rydberg series converging to two vibrationally excited states (ν₁ and ν₉) of CH₃SH⁺ were observed. When IR light at 2867 cm^-1 (2ν₁₀, overtone of CH₃ deformation mode) and 2892 cm^-1 (2ν₄, overtone of CH₂ scissoring mode) was employed, both Δν = -1 and Δν = -2 ionization transitions were observed; there is evidence for direct ionization from the initial state into the CH₃SH⁺ (ν₄⁺ = 1) continuum. In all observed IR-VUV-PIE spectra, the ns and nd series show intensity greater than the other Rydberg series, which is consistent with the fact that the highest-occupied molecular orbital of CH₃SH is a p-like lone pair orbital on the S atom. The quantum yields for autoionization of various vibrational excited states are discussed. Values of ν₁ = 3035, ν₂ = 2884, ν₃ = 2514, and ν₉ = 2936 cm^-1 for CH₃SH⁺ derived from the converged limits agree satisfactorily with values observed for Ar-tagged CH₃SH⁺ at 3026, 2879, 2502, and 2933 cm^-1.

Same but Different: Dipole-Stabilized Shape Resonances in CuF(-) and AgF(.)

Electron attachment to closed-shell molecules is a gateway to various important processes in the gas and condensed phases. The properties of an electron-attached state, such as its energy and lifetime as well as the character of the molecular orbital to which the electron is attached, determine the fate of the anion. In this experimental and theoretical study of copper and silver fluoride anions, we introduce a new type of metastable anionic state. Abrupt changes in photoelectron angular distributions point to the existence of autodetaching states. Equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles calculations augmented by a complex absorbing potential identify some of these states as Σ and Π dipole-stabilized resonances, a new type of shape resonance. In addition, these molecules support valence and dipole-bound states and a Σ resonance of charge-transfer character. By featuring five different types of anionic states, they provide a vehicle for studying fundamental properties of anions and for validating new theoretical approaches for metastable states.

Chirped-pulse millimeter-wave spectroscopy: spectrum, dynamics, and manipulation of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions

We apply the chirped-pulse millimeter-wave (CPmmW) technique to transitions between Rydberg states in calcium atoms. The unique feature of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions is that they have enormous electric dipole transition moments (~5 kiloDebye at n* ~ 40, where n* is the effective principal quantum number), so they interact strongly with the mm-wave radiation. After polarization by a mm-wave pulse in the 70-84 GHz frequency region, the excited transitions re-radiate free induction decay (FID) at their resonant frequencies, and the FID is heterodyne-detected by the CPmmW spectrometer. Data collection and averaging are performed in the time domain. The spectral resolution is ~100 kHz. Because of the large transition dipole moments, the available mm-wave power is sufficient to polarize the entire bandwidth of the spectrometer (12 GHz) in each pulse, and high-resolution survey spectra may be collected. Both absorptive and emissive transitions are observed, and they are distinguished by the phase of their FID relative to that of the excitation pulse. With the combination of the large transition dipole moments and direct monitoring of transitions, we observe dynamics, such as transient nutations from the interference of the excitation pulse with the polarization that it induces in the sample. Since the waveform produced by the mm-wave source may be precisely controlled, we can populate states with high angular momentum by a sequence of pulses while recording the results of these manipulations in the time domain. We also probe the superradiant decay of the Rydberg sample using photon echoes. The application of the CPmmW technique to transitions between Rydberg states of molecules is discussed.

Origin of thermal degradation of Sr(2-x)Si5N8:Eu(x) phosphors in air for light-emitting diodes

The orange-red emitting phosphors based on M(2)Si(5)N(8):Eu (M = Sr, Ba) are widely utilized in white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) because of their improvement of the color rendering index (CRI), which is brilliant for warm white light emission. Nitride-based phosphors are adopted in high-performance applications because of their excellent thermal and chemical stabilities. A series of nitridosilicate phosphor compounds, M(2-x)Si(5)N(8):Eu(x) (M = Sr, Ba), were prepared by solid-state reaction. The thermal degradation in air was only observed in Sr(2-x)Si(5)N(8):Eu(x) with x = 0.10, but it did not appear in Sr(2-x)Si(5)N(8):Eu(x) with x = 0.02 and Ba analogue with x = 0.10. This is an unprecedented investigation to study this phenomenon in the stable nitrides. The crystal structural variation upon heating treatment of these compounds was carried out using the in situ XRD measurements. The valence of Eu ions in these compounds was determined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The morphology of these materials was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Combining all results, it is concluded that the origin of the thermal degradation in Sr(2-x)Si(5)N(8):Eu(x) with x = 0.10 is due to the formation of an amorphous layer on the surface of the nitride phosphor grain during oxidative heating treatment, which results in the oxidation of Eu ions from divalent to trivalent. This study provides a new perspective for the impact of the degradation problem as a consequence of heating processes in luminescent materials.

Dynamics of molecules in extreme rotational states

We have constructed an optical centrifuge with a pulse energy that is more than 2 orders of magnitude larger than previously reported instruments. This high pulse energy enables us to create large enough number densities of molecules in extreme rotational states to perform high-resolution state-resolved transient IR absorption measurements. Here we report the first studies of energy transfer dynamics involving molecules in extreme rotational states. In these studies, the optical centrifuge drives CO2 molecules into states with J ∼ 220 and we use transient IR probing to monitor the subsequent rotational, translational, and vibrational energy flow dynamics. The results reported here provide the first molecular insights into the relaxation of molecules with rotational energy that is comparable to that of a chemical bond.

A master equation approach to the dynamics of zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) states and ZEKE spectroscopy

We have theoretically studied important dynamic processes involved in zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy using the density matrix method with the inverse Born-Oppenheimer approximation basis sets. In ZEKE spectroscopy, the ZEKE Rydberg states are populated by laser excitation (either a one- or two-photon process), which is followed by autoionizations and l-mixing due to a stray field. The discrimination field is then applied to ionize loosely bound electrons in the ZEKE states. This is followed by using the extraction field to extract electrons from the ZEKE levels which have a strength comparable to that of the extraction field. These extracted electrons are measured for the relative intensities of the ion states under investigation. The spectral positions are determined by the applied laser wavelength and modified by the extraction electric field. In this paper, all of these processes are conducted within the context of the density matrix method. The density matrix method can provide not only the dynamics of system's population and coherence (or phase) but also the rate constants of the processes involved in the ZEKE spectroscopy. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the theoretical treatments.

Renner-Teller interactions in the vibrational autoionization of polyatomic molecules

Vibrational autoionization induced by the Renner-Teller interaction in linear polyatomic molecules is considered in the context of the three-state electrostatic model developed by Gauyacq and Jungen [Mol. Phys. 41, 383 (1980)]. For small interactions, simple formulas are derived for the quantum defect matrix elements and the autoionization rates in terms of the more common Renner-Teller parameters derived from spectroscopic analyses of low-lying Rydberg states. These formulas should provide guidance for empirical fitting of quantum defect parameters to spectra of high Rydberg states. Consideration of typical values of the Renner-Teller parameters also allows the estimation of vibrational autoionization rates induced by these interactions. These estimates support the validity of the Deltav=-1 propensity rule for vibrational autoionization. Constraints on the vibrational autoionization rates for the symmetric stretching vibration are also discussed. In the following paper, electron capture by polyatomic molecular ions into vibrationally autoionizing Rydberg states is considered from the same perspective, and a simple formula is derived to allow the estimation of the effect of this process on dissociative recombination cross sections.

Dynamics of the Rydberg electron in H*+D2→D*+HD reactive collisions

Experimental crossed-beam studies carried out previously have indicated that the dynamics of the Rydberg-atom-molecule reaction H*+D2-->D*+HD are very similar to those of the corresponding ion-molecule reaction H++D2-->D++HD. The equivalence of the cross sections for these related systems would open up a new approach to the experimental study of ion-molecule reactions. However, a recent experimental and theoretical study has brought to light some important qualitative differences between the Rydberg-atom reaction and the ion-molecule reaction; in particular, the experimental cross section for the Rydberg-atom reaction exhibits a higher degree of forward-backward scattering asymmetry than predicted by a quasiclassical trajectory study of the ion-molecule reaction. In this paper, the authors consider the dynamics of the Rydberg-electron over the course of a reactive collision and the implications of these dynamics for the Rydberg-atom-molecule crossed-beam experiment. Using an approach based on perturbation theory, they estimate the attenuation of the experimental signal due to the Rydberg-electron dynamics as a function of the scattering angle. They show that at least part of the experimental asymmetry can be ascribed to this angle dependent attenuation. Their results offer general insight into the practical aspects of the experimental study of ion-molecule reactions by means of their Rydberg-atom counterparts.

Rydberg fingerprint spectroscopy of hot molecules: structural dispersion in flexible hydrocarbons

We explore how structural dispersion in flexible hydrocarbon chain molecules at very high temperatures is reflected in the photoionization spectra of Rydberg levels. The spectra of N,N-dimethylisopropanamine, N,N-dimethyl-1-butanamine, N,N-dimethyl-2-butanamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-hexanamine, and 1,4-dimethylpiperazine, taken at effective vibrational temperatures of 700-1000 K, show well-resolved features stemming from the 3p and 3s Rydberg states. The line shapes observed in molecules with internal rotation degrees of freedom show that multiple structures are populated. Following up on the discovery that low-lying Rydberg states provide sensitive fingerprints of molecular structures, this work supports Rydberg fingerprint spectroscopy as a tool to probe structural details of molecules in the presence of complex energy landscapes and at high vibrational temperatures. A simple model accounts for the sensitivity of Rydberg fingerprint spectroscopy to the molecular shape, as well as the relative insensitivity of the spectra toward vibrational excitation.