Wigner Near-Threshold Effects in the Photoelectron Angular Distribution of NO2.

High-resolution velocity map imaged photoelectron spectra of the nitrite anion NO2- are measured over a range of photodetachment wavelengths between 355 and 550 nm, resolving the vibrational and rotational structure of the NO2(X̃2A1) + e- ← NO2-(X̃1A1) + hν transition. A full rotational band model is constructed to define the spectroscopic constants of both the neutral and the lesser studied anion ground states. The corresponding photoelectron angular distributions are characterized by a large positive anisotropy parameter, with ß ≈ 1.5 gradually increasing to ß ≈ 1.7 upon approaching the threshold. However, at very low kinetic energies, within 0.1 eV of the threshold, ß dramatically drops to 0. This behavior is a consequence of the Wigner near-threshold selectivity of the electron partial-wave cross sections, whereby an atomic p-like orbital character adjacent to the threshold is favored. The full kinetic energy dependence of ß is reproduced by a new mixed spd orbital model, yielding a NO2-(X̃1A1) molecular-orbital decomposition of 2% p, 44% s, and 54% d character.

The dicarbon bonding puzzle viewed with photoelectron imaging.

Bonding in the ground state of C[Formula: see text] is still a matter of controversy, as reasonable arguments may be made for a dicarbon bond order of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], or [Formula: see text]. Here we report on photoelectron spectra of the C[Formula: see text] anion, measured at a range of wavelengths using a high-resolution photoelectron imaging spectrometer, which reveal both the ground [Formula: see text] and first-excited [Formula: see text] electronic states. These measurements yield electron angular anisotropies that identify the character of two orbitals: the diffuse detachment orbital of the anion and the highest occupied molecular orbital of the neutral. This work indicates that electron detachment occurs from predominantly [Formula: see text]-like ([Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text]-like ([Formula: see text]) orbitals, respectively, which is inconsistent with the predictions required for the high bond-order models of strongly [Formula: see text]-mixed orbitals. This result suggests that the dominant contribution to the dicarbon bonding involves a double-bonded configuration, with 2[Formula: see text] bonds and no accompanying [Formula: see text] bond.

Lab on a Chip: Conquer Disease at the Earliest.

Oral cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world, accounting for numerous deaths annually. The 5-year survival rate remains approximately 50% for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the past several decades. Early detection plays a vital role in the survival rate of the patients. There is no accurate, cost-effective, and reliable method for the screening of patients with OSCC. Hence, many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. Early detection would, therefore, help to identify patients and modify treatment with close monitoring. Lab on a Chip or micro-total-analysis systems are one of the microfluidics technologies that are defined as adaptation, miniaturization, integration, and automation of analytical laboratory procedures into a single device or "chip." This technology assures the replacement of complicated techniques with miniaturized, integrated, programmed, and economical diagnostic devices. Hence, this system provides a means for rapid, automated, molecular analysis of cancer cells.

Fourier-transform-spectroscopic photoabsorption cross sections and oscillator strengths for the S2 BΣu-3-XΣg-3 system.

Photoabsorption cross sections and oscillator strengths for the strong, predissociating vibrational bands, v ≥ 11, in the S2 BΣu-3-XΣg-3(v,0) system are reported. Absorption measurements were undertaken on S2 vapor produced by a radio-frequency discharge through H2S seeded in helium, and also in a two-temperature sulfur furnace, at temperatures of 370 K and 823 K, respectively. S2 column densities were determined in each source by combining experimental line strengths in low-v non-predissociating B - X bands (v < 7) with calculated line f-values based on measured radiative lifetimes and calculated branching ratios. The broad-band capabilities of two vacuum-ultraviolet Fourier-transform spectrometers, used with instrumental resolutions of 0.22 cm-1 and 0.12 cm-1, respectively, allowed for simultaneous recordings of both non-predissociating and predissociating bands, thus placing the predissociating-band cross sections on a common absolute scale. Uncertainties in the final cross section datasets are estimated to be 15% for the 370-K vapor and 10% for the 823-K vapor. The experimental cross sections are used to inform a detailed predissociation model of the B(v) levels in Paper II [Lewis et al., J. Chem. Phys. 148, 244303 (2018)]. For astrophysical and other applications, this model can be adjusted simply to provide isotopologue-specific cross sections for a range of relevant temperatures.

Predissociation of the B Σu-3 state of S2: A coupled-channel model.

A coupled-channel Schrödinger equation model of predissociation in the B Σu-3 state of S2 is developed and optimized by comparison with recent photoabsorption spectra of the B Σu-3-X Σg-3(v,0) bands for 11 ≤ v ≤ 27, covering the energy range 35 800-41 500 cm-1. All bands in this range exhibit varying degrees of diffuseness, with corresponding predissociation linewidths Γ ≈ 4-60 cm-1 full-width at half-maximum. Model comparisons with both low-temperature (T = 370 K) and high-temperature (T = 823 K) spectra indicate, for many bands, significant dependence of the linewidth on both the rotational quantum number J and the fine-structure component Fi. Just as in the analogous case of O2, the B(v)-state predissociation in S2 is caused principally by spin-orbit interaction with 3Πu, 1Πu, 5Πu, and Σu+3 states. The inner-limb crossing with B″3Πu is responsible for the predissociation of B(v = 11) and provides a significant slowly varying contribution for B(v ≥ 12). The outer crossings with the 1Πu, 5Πu, and 2 Σu+3 states are responsible for oscillatory contributions to the predissociation widths, with first peaks at v = 13, 20, and 24, respectively, and the 5Πu contribution dominant. Prior to the photodissociation imaging study of Frederix et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 113, 14995 (2009)], which redefined the dissociation energy of S2, the prevailing paradigm was that only the 1Πu interaction was responsible for the B(v = 11-16) predissociation: this view is not supported by our model.

NOO Peroxy Isomer Exposed with Velocity-Map Imaging.

The chemistry of NO2, a key atmospheric trace gas, has historically been interpreted in terms of the C2v isomer ONO, with the peroxy isomer NOO only postulated to be stable. In this work, a velocity-map-imaged photoelectron spectrum of the nitrite anion, NO2-, reveals energetic-electron structure that may only occur by photodetachment from the NOO-(X̃1A') isomer. This measurement defines NOO(X̃2A') bond frequencies and an electron affinity of only 335(30) cm-1, which, supported by ab initio calculations, confirm the first observation of this important reactive species.

High-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy of linear ← bent polyatomic photodetachment transitions: the electron affinity of CS2.

A combination of high-resolution velocity-map-imaging photoelectron spectroscopy and isotopic substitution is used to show that precise electron affinities can be obtained from polyatomic photodetachment spectra, even for cases involving significant changes in equilibrium geometry between the molecular neutral and anion. The chosen example CS(2) (X (1)Σ(g)(+)) (linear) ← CS(2)(-) (X (2)A(1)) (bent) photodetachment transition is found to preferentially access highly-excited v(2) (bending) levels of the neutral, with no observation possible of the lowest-v(2) bands. Nevertheless, through (13)C isotopic substitution, the v(2) numbering is established unambiguously and the adiabatic electron affinity of CS(2) is found to be 4456(10) cm(-1) [0.5525(13) eV], by far the most precise value reported to date.

Experimental verification of strong rotational dependence of fluorescence and predissociation yield in the b1Πu(v = 1) level of 14N2.

New, rotationally resolved fluorescence-excitation spectra confirm coupled-channel Schrödinger-equation predictions of strong rotational dependence of the fluorescence and predissociation yields in the b(v = 1) level of (14)N(2).

A coupled-channel model of the 3Pi(u) states of N2: structure and interactions of the 3ssigma(g)F3 3Pi(u) and 3ppi(u)G3 3Pi(u) Rydberg states.

New and existing spectroscopic data on N(2), obtained using a wide variety of experimental techniques, are interpreted using a coupled-channel Schrodinger-equation (CSE) model of the structure and predissociation dynamics for the interacting Rydberg and valence states of (3)Pi(u) symmetry. As a result, v>0 levels of the 3ppi(u)G(3) (3)Pi(u) Rydberg state are assigned correctly for the first time, leading to the identification of very strong perturbations in the G(3)-state vibrational structure. A four-channel CSE model, which includes the 3ssigma(g)F(3) (3)Pi(u) and 3ppi(u)G(3) (3)Pi(u) Rydberg states and the C(') (3)Pi(u) and C (3)Pi(u) valence states, indicates strong Rydberg-Rydberg coupling between the F(3) and G(3) states, strong Rydberg-valence coupling between the G(3) and C(') states, and weaker coupling between the F(3) and C(') states.

Sign reversal of the spin-orbit constant for the C 3Pi(u) state of N2.

Ab initio calculations are performed at the multireference configuration-interaction level of theory on the diagonal spin-orbit functions for the lowest non-Rydberg states of (3)Pi(u) symmetry in molecular nitrogen. Spin-orbit constants deduced from the ab initio results confirm the recent suggestion, based on new experimental results, that the C (3)Pi(u) state of N(2), long known to be regular in the region of its potential-energy curve minimum, becomes inverted at higher energies. By removing the effects of the crossing C(') (3)Pi(u) state, it is shown that A(v) for the C state changes sign from positive to negative near v=8, corresponding to a change in principal molecular-orbital configuration from (1sigma(g))(2)(1sigma(u))(2)(2sigma(g))(2)(2sigma(u))(3sigma(g))(2)(1pi(u))(4)(1pi(g)) to (1sigma(g))(2)(1sigma(u))(2)(2sigma(g))(2)(2sigma(u))(2)(3sigma(g))(1pi(u))(3)(1pi(g))(2) at an internuclear distance near 1.4 A.

Structure and predissociation of the 3psigma(u)D (3)Sigma(u) (+) Rydberg state of N(2): first extreme-ultraviolet and new near-infrared observations, with coupled-channels analysis.

The 3psigma(u)D (3)Sigma(u) (+) Rydberg state of N(2) is studied experimentally using two high-resolution spectroscopic techniques. First, the forbidden D (3)Sigma(u) (+)-X (1)Sigma(g) (+) transition is observed for the first time via the (0,0) band of (14)N(2) and the (1,0) band of (15)N(2), using 1 extreme-ultraviolet +1 ultraviolet two-photon-ionization laser spectroscopy. Second, the Rydberg-Rydberg transition D (3)Sigma(u) (+)-E (3)Sigma(g) (+) is studied using near-infrared diode-laser photoabsorption spectroscopy, thus extending the previous measurements of Kanamori et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 95, 80 (1991)], to higher transition energies, and thereby revealing the (2,2) and (3,3) bands. The combined results show that the D(v=0-3) levels exhibit rapidly increasing rotational predissociation as v increases, spanning nearly four orders of magnitude. The D-state level structure and rotational predissociation signature are explained by means of a coupled-channels model which considers the electrostatically coupled (3)Pi(u) Rydberg-valence manifold, together with a pure-precession L-uncoupling rotational interaction between the 3psigma(u)D (3)Sigma(u) (+) and 3ppi(u)G (3)Pi(u) Rydberg p-complex components.

Rotational effects in the band oscillator strengths and predissociation linewidths for the lowest 1Pi u-X 1Sigmag+ transitions of N2.

A coupled-channel Schrodinger equation (CSE) model of N2 photodissociation, which includes the effects of all interactions between the b, c, and o 1Pi u and the C and C' 3Pi u states, is employed to study the effects of rotation on the lowest-upsilon 1Pi u-X 1Sigmag+(upsilon,0) band oscillator strengths and 1Pi u predissociation linewidths. Significant rotational dependences are found which are in excellent agreement with recent experimental results, where comparisons are possible. New extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) photoabsorption spectra of the key b 1Pi u<--X 1Sigmag +(3,0) transition of N2 are also presented and analyzed, revealing a b(upsilon=3) predissociation linewidth peaking near J=11. This behavior can be reproduced only if the triplet structure of the C state is included explicitly in the CSE-model calculations, with a spin-orbit constant A approximately 15 cm(-1) for the diffuse C(upsilon=9) level which accidentally predissociates b(upsilon=3). The complex rotational behavior of the b-X(3,0) and other bands may be an important component in the modeling of EUV transmission through nitrogen-rich planetary atmospheres.

Predissociation mechanism for the lowest 1 Pi u states of N2.

Separate coupled-channel Schrödinger-equation (CSE) models of the interacting (1)Pi(u) (b,c,o) and (3)Pi(u) (C,C(')) states of N(2) are combined, through the inclusion of spin-orbit interactions, to produce a five-channel CSE model of the N(2) predissociation. Comparison of the model calculations with an experimental database, consisting principally of detailed new measurements of the vibrational and isotopic dependence of the (1)Pi(u) linewidths and lifetimes, provides convincing evidence that the predissociation of the lowest (1)Pi(u) levels in N(2) is primarily an indirect process, involving spin-orbit coupling between the b (1)Pi(u)- and C (3)Pi(u)-state levels, the latter levels themselves heavily predissociated electrostatically by the C(') (3)Pi(u) continuum. The well-known large width of the b(v=3) level in (14)N(2) is caused by an accidental degeneracy with C(v=9). This CSE model provides the first quantitative explanation of the predissociation mechanism for the dipole-accessible (1)Pi(u) states of N(2), and is thus likely to prove useful in the construction of realistic radiative-transfer and photochemical models for nitrogen-rich planetary atmospheres.

Lifetime and predissociation yield of 14N2 b 1Piu(v=1).

The lifetime of the b 1Piu(v=1) state in 14N2 has been determined experimentally using a laser-based pump-probe scheme and an exceptionally long lifetime of 2.61 ns was found. Semiempirical close-coupling calculations of the radiative lifetime, which include Rydberg-valence interactions in the singlet manifold, are consistent with this large value, giving a value of 3.61 ns and suggesting a predissociation yield of approximately 28% for this level of the b state.

Observation of completely destructive quantum interference between interacting resonances in molecular predissociation.

A unique observation is presented of interacting predissociating resonances which exhibit completely destructive interference in a region between the resonances. The use of a double-resonance technique, in which single rotational levels of the b (1)Sigma(+)(g) state of O2, prepared by pumping the magnetic-dipole b <--X transition, are probed by (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton-ionization spectroscopy, eliminates overlapping rotational structure and enables observation of the interference process. Using a diabatic coupled-channel model, the interacting resonances are shown to be derived from the d (1)Pi(g)(v = 3,J = 17) Rydberg and II (1)Delta(g)(v = 6,J = 17) valence states.