Potential energy surfaces for ground and excited electronic states of the CF3I molecule and their relevance to its A-band photodissociation.

The multireference spin-orbit (SO) configuration interaction (CI) method in its Λ-S contracted SO-CI version is employed to calculate two-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the ground and low-lying excited states of CF3I relevant to its photodissociation in the lowest absorption band (A band). The computed equilibrium geometry for the X̃A1 ground state and vibrational frequency ν3 for the C-I stretch mode agree well with available experimental data. The (3)Q0(+) state dissociating to the excited I((2)P1/2) limit is found to have a minimum of 1570 cm(-1) significantly shifted to larger internuclear distances (RC-I = 5.3 a0) relative to the ground state. Similar to the CH3I case, this makes a single-exponent approximation commonly employed for analysis of the CF3I recoil dynamics unsuitable. The 4E((3)A1) state possessing an allowed transition from the ground state and converging to the same atomic limit as (3)Q0(+) is calculated to lie too high in the Franck-Condon region to have any significant impact on the A-band absorption. The computed vertical excitation energies for the (3)Q1, (3)Q0(+), and (1)Q states indicate that the A-band spectrum must lie approximately between 31,300 and 45,200 cm(-1), i.e., between 220 and 320 nm. This result is in very good agreement with the measured absorption spectrum.

Adjustment of Born-Oppenheimer electronic wave functions to simplify close coupling calculations.

Technical problems connected with use of the Born-Oppenheimer clamped-nuclei approximation to generate electronic wave functions, potential energy surfaces (PES), and associated properties are discussed. A computational procedure for adjusting the phases of the wave functions, as well as their order when potential crossings occur, is presented which is based on the calculation of overlaps between sets of molecular orbitals and configuration interaction eigenfunctions obtained at neighboring nuclear conformations. This approach has significant advantages for theoretical treatments describing atomic collisions and photo-dissociation processes by means of ab initio PES, electronic transition moments, and nonadiabatic radial and rotational coupling matrix elements. It ensures that the electronic wave functions are continuous over the entire range of nuclear conformations considered, thereby greatly simplifying the process of obtaining the above quantities from the results of single-point Born-Oppenheimer calculations. The overlap results are also used to define a diabatic transformation of the wave functions obtained for conical intersections that greatly simplifies the computation of off-diagonal matrix elements by eliminating the need for complex phase factors.

AsH3 ultraviolet photochemistry: an ab initio view.

Multireference configuration interaction calculations have been carried out for low-lying electronic states of AsH(3). Bending potentials for the nine lowest states of AsH(3) are obtained in C(3v) symmetry for As-H distances fixed at the ground state equilibrium value of 2.850 a(0), as well as for the minimum energy path constrained to R(1) = R(2) = R(3). The calculated equilibrium geometry and bond energy for the X (1)A(1) ground state agree very well with the previous experimental and theoretical data. It is shown that the lowest excited singlet state belongs to the (1)A(1) symmetry (in C(3v)), in contradiction to the previous calculations. This state is characterized by a planar equilibrium geometry. Asymmetric stretch potential energy surface (PES) cuts along the H(2)As-H recoil coordinate (at R(1) = R(2) = 2.850 a(0), θ = 123.9° and 90°) for numerous excited states and two-dimensional PESs for the X and à states up to the dissociation limits are obtained for the first time. The à (1)A(1), B(1)E-X (1)A(1) transition moments are calculated as well and used together with the PES data for the analysis of possible photodecay channels of arsine in its first absorption band.

Ab initio study of the positronation of the CaO and SrO molecules including calculation of annihilation rates.

Ab initio multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction calculations have been performed to compute potential curves for ground and excited states of the CaO and SrO molecules and their positronic complexes, e(+)CaO, and e(+)SrO. The adiabatic dissociation limit for the (2)Σ(+) lowest states of the latter systems consists of the positive metal ion ground state (M(+)) and the OPs complex (e(+)O(-)), although the lowest energy limit is thought to be e(+)M + O. Good agreement is found between the calculated and experimental spectroscopic constants for the neutral diatomics wherever available. The positron affinity of the closed-shell X (1)Σ(+) ground states of both systems is found to lie in the 0.16-0.19 eV range, less than half the corresponding values for the lighter members of the alkaline earth monoxide series, BeO and MgO. Annihilation rates (ARs) have been calculated for all four positronated systems for the first time. The variation with bond distance is generally similar to what has been found earlier for the alkali monoxide series of positronic complexes, falling off gradually from the OPs AR value at their respective dissociation limits. The e(+)SrO system shows some exceptional behavior, however, with its AR value reaching a minimum at a relatively large bond distance and then rising to more than twice the OPs value close to its equilibrium distance.

Configuration interaction calculations of cross sections for proton stopping reactions.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the role of quantum mechanical electronic structure methods in providing accurate predictions of the cross sections for ionization and electron capture processes that occur as a result of proton collisions in the high-eV to low-keV energy region. METHODS: Calculations are carried out to compute potential curves and non-adiabatic coupling elements for a variety of collision partners employing the ab initio multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction (MRD-CI) method. These results are used as input for the electronic-state close-coupling (ESCC) method in order to compute cross sections for various transitions that occur because of collisions. RESULTS: Emphasis is placed on proton-molecule collisions that play a key role in various medical applications as well as in astrophysics and nano-scale materials manufacturing. Examples discussed include the Na-He pair of atoms of interest in recent astrophysical observations, proton collisions with various hydrocarbons and also with water and oxygen, and key ionic products such as H(2)O(+) and H(3)O(+) . CONCLUSIONS: The computed cross sections provide a detailed picture of radiation damage dynamics in Monte Carlo simulations. This information can potentially enhance the efficiency of proton beam focusing and also reduce undesirable side effects on body tissues.

Complex configuration interaction calculations of the cross section for the dissociative electron attachment process e(-) + F2 → F2(-) → F + F(-) using the complex basis function method.

The F(2)(-) molecule and the corresponding dynamic processes dealing with electron scattering on the neutral F(2) species have been the subject of many theoretical and experimental investigations in the past. In the context of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, one of the best theoretical descriptions of the electronic states involves the use of complex basis functions together with configuration interaction (CI) methods. In this work, multireference CI calculations using the complex basis function method have been carried out for the autoionizing ground state of the F(2)(-) molecule. Potential curves and vibrational levels have been obtained for the ground and various excited states of both F(2) and F(2)(-), as well as the variation of the line width of the anionic ground state for the bond distance region in which it is metastable. Cross sections for the dissociative electron attachment process e(-) + F(2) → F(2)(-) → F + F(-) have also been computed within the framework of the boomerang model, and good agreement with available experimental data has been found. In addition, some calculations for the process of vibrational excitation are included which also give good agreement with experiment.

Ab initio configuration interaction study of the B- and C-band photodissociation of methyl iodide.

Multireference spin-orbit configuration interaction calculations have been carried out for the valence and low-lying Rydberg states of CH(3)I. Potential energy surfaces along the C-I dissociation coordinate (minimal energy paths with respect to the umbrella angle) have been obtained as well as transition moments for excitation of the Rydberg states. It is shown that the B and C absorption bands of CH(3)I are dominated by the perpendicular (3)R(1),(1)R (E)←X̃ A(1) transitions, while the (3)R(2)(E), (3)R(0(+) )(A(1))←X̃ A(1) transitions are very weak. It is demonstrated that the bound Rydberg states of the B and C bands are predissociated due to the interaction with the repulsive E and A(2) components of the (3)A(1) state, with the (3)A(1)(E) state being the main decay channel. It is predicted that the only possibility to obtain the I((2)P(3/2)) ground state atoms from the CH(3)I photodissociation in the B band is by interaction of the (3)R(1)(E) state with the repulsive (1)Q(E) valence state at excitation energies above 55,000 cm(-1). The calculated ab initio data are used to analyze the influence of the Rydberg state vibrational excitation on the decay process. It is shown that, in contrast to intuition, excitation of the ν(3) C-I stretching mode supresses the predissociation, whereas the ν(6) rocking vibration enhances the predissociation rate.

Ab initio calculations of the electronic states of AsH2 including dissociation characteristics.

Multireference configuration interaction calculations have been carried out for low-lying electronic states of AsH(2). Bending potentials for the ten lowest states of AsH(2) are obtained in C(2v) symmetry for As-H distances fixed at the the ground state equilibrium value of 2.845 a(0), as well as for the minimum energy path constrained to R(1) = R(2). The calculated equilibrium geometries for the X̃(2)B(1) ground state and the Ã(2)A(1) excited state agree very well with the previous experimental and theoretical results, whereas the data for the higher-lying states are obtained for the first time. Asymmetric potential energy surface (PES) cuts (at R(1) = 2.845 a(0), θ = 90.7°) and two-dimensional (2D) PESs for the lowest three states are also new. The calculated ab initio data are used for analysis of possible AsH(2) photodissociation channels and predissociation effects. It is shown that the Ã(2)A(1)-X̃(2)B(1) transition dipole moment decreases with increasing bending angle, which influences the intensity distribution in the Ã(0,0,0)→X̃ emission spectrum (v(2)'' bending series), shifting its maximum to smaller v(2)'' quantum numbers.

Use of complex configuration interaction calculations and the stationary principle for the description of metastable electronic states of HCl(-).

The complex multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction method has been employed to compute potential curves for the anion of the hydrogen chloride molecule. First, conventional CI calculations with real basis functions have been carried out to determine the potential curves of both HCl and its anion over a large range of internuclear distance. It is shown that adding basis functions with very small exponents leads to sharply avoided crossings for the HCl(-) potentials that greatly complicate the search for resonance states thought to be responsible for features observed in electron collision experiments. By limiting the number of such diffuse-type functions it is possible to describe resonance states at a highly correlated level and still account for their interaction with the continuum in which they are embedded. In the present study of the HCl(-) anion the complex basis function technique of Moiseyev-Corcoran and McCurdy-Resigno is employed to calculate the energy positions and line-widths of the resonance states. Two states of (2)Sigma(+) symmetry are calculated which have potentials that have significantly different shapes than that of the neutral ground state and thus contribute to the cross section for vibrational excitation of the neutral HCl molecule induced by low-energy electron collisions. The lower of these (1 (2)Sigma(+)) correlates smoothly with the bound anionic ground state at large internuclear distances and is seen to be responsible for the sharp peaks observed in the low-energy region of the spectrum. The upper state (3 (2)Sigma(+)) has a much larger bond length and is assigned to the broad bands observed with a maximum in the 2.5-3.0 eV range. The present calculations thus stand in contradiction to earlier claims that the above peaks are caused by so-called virtual states without a definite autoionization lifetime.

Photodissociation of CH3Cl, C2H5Cl, and C6H5Cl on the Ag(111) surface: ab initio embedded cluster and configuration interaction study.

We report a comparative study of the photoinduced C-Cl bond cleavage in three Rd-Cl molecules (Rd=CH(3), C(2)H(5), and C(6)H(5) radicals) on the Ag(111) surface. The ground, lowest excited states as well as anion states of adsorbed molecules have been computed at their equilibrium geometry and along the C-Cl dissociation pathway using the ab initio embedded cluster and multireference configuration interaction methods. The anion state can be formed by photoinduced electron transfer from the substrate to an adsorbate and is strongly bound to the surface in contrast with the electronic states of the adsorbate itself, which are only weakly perturbed by the silver surface. The excitation energy of the anion state lies lower in the Franck-Condon region than that of the lowest singlet excited state for all adsorbates and correlates directly with the dissociation products: adsorbed chlorine atom and the gas phase or adsorbed radical for Rd=CH(3), C(2)H(5), and C(6)H(5), respectively. The computed redshift of the photodissociation spectrum for the substrate-mediated photodissociation process relative to the corresponding gas-phase reaction is approximately 2 eV for CH(3)Cl and C(2)H(5)Cl, and approximately 1 eV for C(6)H(5)Cl, which result is in good agreement with experimental data.

Configuration interaction calculations of potential curves and annihilation rates for positronic complexes of alkali monoxides.

Ab initio multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction calculations have been carried out to compute the potential curves and annihilation rates (ARs) of positronic molecular complexes of a series of alkali monoxides. The dissociation limit for the lowest states of these systems consists of the positive alkali ion ground state (M(+)) and the OPs (e(+)O(-)) complex formed by attaching the positron to O(-), even though the ground state of the corresponding neutral molecule always correlates with uncharged fragments (M+O). The positron affinity of the neutral oxide (2)Pi state is greater than that of (2)Sigma(+) in each case, so that the e(+)MO ground state always has (3,1)Pi symmetry, despite the fact that both KO and RbO have (2)Sigma(+) ground states. The bonding in the positronic systems is highly ionic at all internuclear distances and this causes their ARs to decrease gradually as the positive alkali ion approaches the OPs fragment.

Complex multireference configuration interaction calculations employing a coupled diabatic representation for the 2Pi(g) resonance states of N2(-).

Complex multireference configuration interaction calculations have been carried out for the lowest resonance states of (2)Pi(g) symmetry of the N(2)(-) molecule. It is shown that there is a forbidden crossing between the two lowest roots of this symmetry and that a satisfactory calculation of vibrational levels and cross sections therefore requires inclusion of both states and the coupling between them. A diabatic representation for the two (2)Pi(g) states was determined and vibronic calculations of the cross sections for vibrational excitation were carried out with a two-dimensional complex variational program.

On the ultraviolet photofragmentation of CH3Xe+.

The multireference spin-orbit configuration interaction method is employed to calculate potential energy surfaces for the ground and low-lying excited states of the CH(3)Xe(+) cation as functions of the Xe-C bond length and the Xe-C-H angle. It is shown that the X (1)A(1) ground state of CH(3)Xe(+) is well bound (D(e)=1.78 eV) and dissociates to the CH(3)(+)(X (1)A(1)(')) + Xe((1)S) limit. In contrast, all lowest excited states of CH(3)Xe(+) are repulsive in the Franck-Condon region and converge to the strongly spin-split CH(3)(X (2)A(")) + Xe(+)((2)P(3/2,1/2)) asymptotes. Transition dipole moments for the low-lying valence states are computed at the X (1)A(1) equilibrium geometry. It is shown that the first absorption continuum (A band) of CH(3)Xe(+) is dominated by the parallel (3)Q(0(+))(A(1)) <-- X (1)A(1) transition, which leads to the CH(3) + Xe(+)((2)P(3/2)) dissociation products. The perpendicular transitions to the (1)Q(E), (3)Q(1)(E), and (3)A(1)(E) states are found to be significantly weaker. The CH(3)Xe(+) photodissociation process in its A band is analyzed on the basis of the computed data and compared with the photodissociation of the isovalent RgH(+) (Rg = Ar,Kr,Xe), HI, and CH(3)I systems.

Spin-orbit configuration interaction study of the ultraviolet photofragmentation of XeH+.

The multireference spin-orbit CI method is employed to calculate potential energy curves for the ground and low-lying excited states of the XeH+ cation. For the first time, the spin-orbit interaction is taken into account and electric dipole moments are computed for transitions to the states responsible for the first absorption continuum (A band) of XeH+. On this basis, the partial and total absorption spectra in this energy range are obtained. It is found that the A-band absorption is dominated by the spin-forbidden b3Pi0+ <-- X1sigma+ parallel transition, while perpendicular transitions to the B(1)Pi and b(3)Pi(1) states are significantly weaker. The Gamma(nu) branching ratio defined as the ratio of the Xe+(2P(1/2)) yield to the total yield of the Xe+ cations from the XeH+ photodissociation is calculated for the (42-80) x 10(3) spectral range. It is shown that Gamma(nu) increases smoothly from <0.2 in the red and blue tails of the band to its maximum of 0.92 in the middle of the band, at E approximately 51.4 x 10(3) cm(-1). The high Gamma(nu) values correspond to the predominant formation of the spin-excited Xe+(2P(1/2)) ions that may be used to obtain IR laser generation at the Xe+(2P(1/2) - 2P(3/2)) transition. The calculated XeH+ data are compared with those for the isovalent ArH+, KrH+, and HI systems.

Ab initio study of the KrH+ photodissociation.

The multireference spin-orbit configuration interaction method is employed to calculate potential energy curves for the ground and low-lying excited states of the KrH(+) cation. For the first time, the spin-orbit interaction is taken into account and electric dipole moments are computed for transitions to the states responsible for the first absorption continuum (A band) of KrH(+). On this basis, the partial and total absorption spectra in this energy range are obtained. It is shown that the A-band absorption is dominated by the parallel A (1)Sigma(+)<--X (1)Sigma(+) transition. In the low-energy part of the band (<83x10(3) cm(-1)) the absorption is mainly caused by the spin-forbidden b (3)Pi(0(+) )<--X (1)Sigma(+) excitation, while perpendicular transitions to the B (1)Pi and b (3)Pi(1) states are significantly weaker. The branching ratio Gamma for the photodissociation products is calculated and it is shown to increase smoothly from 0 in the red tail of the band to 1 at E>or=90x10(3) cm(-1). The latter value corresponds to the exclusive formation of the spin-excited Kr(+)((2)P(12)) ions, which may be used to obtain laser generation on the Kr(+)((2)P(12)-(2)P(32)) transition.

Theoretical study of the ArH+ photodissociation.

The multireference Spin-Orbit (SO) Configuration Interaction (CI) method in its Lambda-S Contracted SO-CI (LSC-SO-CI) version is employed to calculate potential energy curves for the ground and low-lying excited states of the ArH(+) cation. For the first time, electric dipole moments are also computed in the approach, including SO coupling for transitions to the states responsible for the first absorption continuum (A-band) of ArH(+). On this basis, the partial and total absorption spectra in this energy range are obtained. It is shown that absorption in the A-band is dominated by the parallel A(1)Sigma(+)<--X(1)Sigma(+) transition. In the low-energy part of the band (<95 x 10(3) cm(-1)) the absorption is caused by the perpendicular B(1)Pi<--X(1)Sigma(+) excitation, but transitions to the b(3)Pi(0(+),1) states are also not negligible. The branching ratio Gamma for the final photodissociation products is calculated and it is shown to increase smoothly from 0 in the red tail of the band to 1 at E>or= 10(5) cm(-1). The latter value corresponds to the exclusive formation of the spin-excited Ar(+)((2)P(1/2)) ions, and thus leads to the inverse population of the Ar(+)((2)P(1/2)-(2)P(3/2)) ion states.

An ab initio study of the CH3I photodissociation. I. Potential energy surfaces.

The multireference spin-orbit (SO) configuration interaction (CI) method in its Lambda-S contracted SO-CI version is employed to calculate two-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the ground and low-lying excited states of CH3I relevant to the photodissociation process in its A absorption band. The computed equilibrium geometry for the X A1 ground state, as well as vibrational frequencies for the nu2 umbrella and nu3 symmetric stretch modes, are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. The 3Q0+ state converging to the excited I(2P1/2o) limit is found to possess a shallow minimum of 850 cm(-1) strongly shifted to larger internuclear distances (RC-I approximately 6.5a0) relative to the ground state. This makes a commonly employed single-exponent approximation for analysis of the CH3I fragmentation dynamics unsuitable. The 4E(3A1) state dissociating to the same atomic limit is calculated to lie too high in the Franck-Condon region to have any significant impact on the A-band absorption. The computed vertical excitation energies for the 3Q1, 3Q0+, and 1Q states indicate that the A-band spectrum must lie approximately between 33,000 and 44,300 cm(-1), i.e., between 225 and 300 nm. This result is in very good agreement with the experimental findings. The lowest Rydberg states are computed to lie at >or=49,000 cm(-1) and correspond to the ...a(1)2n3a1(6sI) leading configuration. They are responsible for the vacuum ultraviolet absorption lines found experimentally beyond the A-band spectrum at 201.1 nm (49,722 cm(-1)) and higher.

An ab initio study of the CH3I photodissociation. II. Transition moments and vibrational state control of the I* quantum yields.

Multireference spin-orbit configuration interaction calculations of transition moments from the X A1 ground state to the 3Q0+, 3Q1, and 1Q excited states responsible for the A absorption band of CH3I are reported and employed for an analysis of the photofragmentation in this system. Contrary to what is usually assumed, the 3Q0+(A1), 3Q1(E), and 1Q(E)<--X A1 transition moments are found to be strongly dependent on the C-I fragmentation coordinate. The sign of this dependence is opposite for the parallel and perpendicular transitions, which opens an opportunity for vibrational state control of the photodissociation product yields. The computed absorption intensity distribution and the I* quantum yield as a function of excitation energy are analyzed in comparison with existing experimental data, and good agreement between theory and experiment is found. It is predicted that significantly higher I* quantum yield values (>0.9) may be achieved when vibrationally hot CH3I molecules are excited in the appropriate spectral range. It is shown that vibrational state control of the I*/I branching ratio in the alkyl (hydrogen) iodide photodissociation has an electronic rather than a dynamic nature: Due to a different electron density distribution at various molecular geometries, one achieves a more efficient excitation of a particular fragmentation channel rather than influences the dynamics of the decay process.

Role of the electric dipole moment in positron binding to the ground and excited states of the BeO molecule.

Self-consistent-field and multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction (CI) calculations have been carried out for various electronic states of the beryllium oxide molecule and their positron-attached counterparts. Particular emphasis is placed on the correlation between the polarity of a given BeO state and the magnitude of the positron binding energy as the internuclear distance is varied. Potential curves are computed for all BeO states that correlate with the first three atomic limits for this system and good agreement is found between the experimental and calculated spectroscopic constants in all cases. The present level of CI treatment is known to underestimate the positron affinities of atoms by at least several tenths of an eV, and this fact needs to be taken into account in evaluating the results for positron binding to molecules. The lowest BeO excited states (3,1Pi) are not found to bind with a positron in the Franck-Condon region due to their comparatively small dipole moments caused by O to Be charge transfer relative to the X 1Sigma+ ground state, which in turn does have a fairly sizeable positron affinity. The situation changes significantly as dissociation proceeds, however, with both 4,2Pi and 2Sigma+ positronic states lying several tenths of an eV lower than their neutral counterparts over a broad range of internuclear distance.

Ab initio spin-orbit configuration interaction calculations for high-lying states of the HeNe quasimolecule.

Multireference configuration interaction (MRD-CI) calculations are reported for a large series of electronic states of the HeNe quasimolecule up to 170000 cm(-1) excitation energy, including those that dissociate to the 3S1 and 2 1S0 excited states of the He atom. Spin-orbit coupling is included through the use of relativistic effective core potentials (RECPs). Good agreement is obtained with experimental spectroscopic data for the respective atomic levels, although there is a tendency to systematically underestimate the energies of the Ne atom by 1000-1500 cm(-1) because of differences in the correlation effects associated with its ground and Rydberg excited states. Potential curves are calculated for each of these states, and a number of relatively deep minima are found. The CI Omega-state wave functions are sufficiently diabatic until r = 4-5 a0 to allow for a clear identification of the He 1s-2s excited states. Electric dipole transition moments are computed between these states and the HeNe X 0+ ground state up to r = 4.0 a0, and it is found that the 2 (1)S0 - X maximum value is over an order of magnitude larger than that for the corresponding (3)S1 - X excitation process.