Infrared Spectroscopy of Disilicon-Carbide, Si2C: The ν3 Fundamental Band.

The ν3 antisymmetric stretching mode of disilicon-carbide, Si2C, was studied using a narrow line width infrared quantum cascade laser spectrometer operating at 8.3 µm. The Si2C molecules were produced in an Nd:YAG laser ablation source from a pure silicon sample with the addition of a few percent methane diluted in a helium buffer gas. Subsequent adiabatic expansion was used to cool the gas down to rotational temperatures of a few tens of kelvin. A total of 183 infrared transitions recorded in the spectral range between 1200 and 1220 cm-1 were assigned to the fundamental ν3 mode of Si2C. In addition, pure rotational transitions of Ka = 1 and 2 between 278 and 375 GHz were recorded using a supersonic jet spectrometer for submillimeter wavelengths. Molecular parameters for the ( v1 v2 v3) = (001) vibrationally excited state were derived and improved molecular parameters for the vibrational ground-state (000) were obtained from a global fit data analysis, which includes our new laboratory data and millimeter wavelength data from the literature. We found the rotational levels Ka = 0 and Ka = 2 in the vibrationally excited (001) state being perturbed by a Coriolis-type interaction with energetically close lying levels of the symmetric stretching and triple-excited bending mode (130). The data analysis was supported by quantum chemical calculations performed at the coupled-cluster level of theory. All experimental results were found to be in excellent agreement with the theory.

Double Resonance Rotational Spectroscopy of Weakly Bound Ionic Complexes: The Case of Floppy CH_{3}

A novel rotational spectroscopy method applicable to ions stored in cold traps is presented. In a double resonance scheme, rotational excitation is followed by vibrational excitation into a dissociative resonance. Its general applicability is demonstrated for the CH_{3}^{+}-He complex, which undergoes predissociation through its C-H stretching modes ν_{1} and ν_{3}. High resolution rotational transitions are recorded for this symmetric top, and small unexpected splittings are resolved for K=1. Advantages and potential future applications of this new approach are discussed.

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of O2H+ in a cryogenic ion trap.

The protonated oxygen molecule, O2H+, and its helium complex, He-O2H+, have been investigated by vibrational action spectroscopy in a cryogenic 22-pole ion trap. For the He-O2H+ complex, the frequencies of three vibrational bands have been determined by predissociation spectroscopy. The elusive O2H+ has been characterized for the first time by high-resolution rovibrational spectroscopy via its ν1 OH-stretching band. Thirty-eight rovibrational fine structure transitions with partly resolved hyperfine satellites were measured (56 resolved lines in total). Spectroscopic parameters were determined by fitting the observed lines with an effective Hamiltonian for an asymmetric rotor in a triplet electronic ground state, X̃3A'', yielding a band origin at 3016.73 cm-1. Based on these spectroscopic parameters, the rotational spectrum is predicted, but not yet detected.

Lowest bending mode of 13C-substituted C3 and an experimentally derived structure.

The ν2 lowest bending mode of linear C3 and of all its 13C-substituted isotopologues was recorded using a terahertz-supersonic jet spectrometer in combination with a laser ablation source. Sixty-five ro-vibrational transitions between 1.8 and 1.9 THz have been assigned to linear C12C12C12, C12C12C13, C12C13C12, C13C13C12, C13C12C13, and C13C13C13. For each isotopologue, molecular parameters were obtained and the C-C-bond length was derived experimentally. All results are in excellent agreement with recent ab initio calculations [B. Schröder and P. Sebald, J. Chem. Phys. 144, 044307 (2016)]. The new measurements explain why the interstellar search for singly substituted C12C12C13 has failed so far. A spectral line list with recommended transition frequencies based on global data fits is given to foster future interstellar detections.

Ortho-Para-Dependent Pressure Effects Observed in the Near Infrared Band of Acetylene by Dual-Comb Spectroscopy.

We demonstrate that dual-comb spectroscopy, which allows one to record broadband spectra with high frequency accuracy in a relatively short time, provides a real advantage for the observation of pressure-broadening and pressure-shift effects. We illustrate this with the ν_{1}+ν_{3} vibration band of ^{12}C_{2}H_{2}. We observe transitions from P(26) to R(29), which extend over a 3.8 THz frequency range, at six pressures ranging up to 2654 Pa. Each observed absorption line profile is fitted to a Voigt function yielding pressure-broadening and pressure-shift coefficients for each rotation-vibration transition. The effectiveness of this technique is such that we are able to discern a clear dependence of the pressure-broadening coefficients on the nuclear spin state, i.e., on the ortho or para modification. This information, combined with the pressure-shift coefficients, can facilitate a detailed understanding of the mechanism of molecular collisions.

Vibrational dynamics. Experimental ground-state combination differences of CH5⁺.

Protonation of methane (CH4), a rather rigid molecule well described by quantum mechanics, produces CH5(+), a prototypical floppy molecule that has eluded definitive spectroscopic description. Experimental measurement of high-resolution spectra of pure CH5(+) samples poses a formidable challenge. By applying two types of action spectroscopy predicated on photoinduced reaction with CO2 and photoinhibition of helium cluster growth, we obtained low-temperature, high-resolution spectra of mass-selected CH5(+). On the basis of the very high accuracy of the line positions, we determined a spectrum of combination differences. Analysis of this spectrum enabled derivation of equally accurate ground state-level schemes of the corresponding nuclear spin isomers of CH5(+), as well as tentative quantum number assignment of this enfant terrible of molecular spectroscopy.

Torsion-rotation coupling and the determination of the torsional potential energy function of HSOH.

Hindered torsional motion in a molecule such as HSOH leads to tunnelling splittings. Lying between the simpler limiting cases of strongly hindered torsion (the "we can simply neglect the tunnelling" limit) and that of free internal rotation (the "tunnelling pair of levels are just different vibrational states" limit) HSOH is particularly challenging due to strong and inherent torsion-rotation coupling. The low symmetry due to the different terminal moieties, SH and OH, further enriches the energy level pattern by allowing a systematic mixing within each quadruplet of torsion- and asymmetry-doubled levels. This mixing, which varies in a systematic manner with angular momentum quantum numbers, can reach 50% and is in addition to the mass-dependent and quasicyclic variation of the tunnelling splittings. We show that a carefully implemented reduced-dimension model, the Generalised SemiRigid Bender (GSRB), combined with a few modest ab initio calculations, is sufficient to account for the bulk of these physical effects. We also point out the reversal of energy pairing of torsional levels with increased energy. That is, at low torsional energy the lowest of the torsional level pair is the symmetric level while at high torsional energy it is the antisymmetric level which is the lowest. Finally, we present a purely empirical determination of the tunnelling splittings for K = 0, 1, 3, 4, and 5.

The rotational spectrum of H(32)SOH and H(34)SOH above 1 THz.

Accurate spectral data of H(32)SOH and H(34)SOH at 1.3 THz were recorded using a synthesizer based multiplier spectrometer. The spectra were analyzed together with data from an earlier study which contain measurements at 1.9 THz. The combination of both data sets allows to determine experimentally the tunneling splitting of energy levels with K(a) = 4 and 5 for the first time. The obtained results are essential to test a novel model on torsional tunneling splitting in HSOH. Transitions with K(a) = 1 <-- 0, K(a) = 2 <-- 1, and K(a) = 3 <-- 2 all exhibit strong c-type and somewhat weaker b-type transitions. In contrary, transitions with K(a) = 4 <-- 3 display only c-type but no b-type transitions. The absence of b-type transitions is completely unexpected and yet not well understood. For the H(34)SOH isotopolog the data set has been substantially extended by the new measurements of (r)Q(3)-branch transitions at 1.3 THz. Based on the new data the accuracy of the H(34)SOH molecular parameters has been significantly improved.

Energy level promotion in the correlation from the tunnelling-doubled harmonic oscillator to the bi-rotor: application to internal rotation in molecules.

A surprisingly rich variety of phenomena are revealed in the energy level correlation between the limits of a tunnelling doubled harmonic oscillator and a bi-rotor. Some levels are found to have their vibrational quantum number "promoted" upon removal of the barrier to rotation, other levels, which we dub "invariant", are found to be completely independent of the barrier, while yet other levels exhibit a smooth transition between these limits. The general nature of these features can be understood in terms of the different degeneracies of the limiting cases. The elucidation of these effects aids the understanding of the rotational-vibrational energy levels of molecules having two internal rotor moieties.

Infrared spectra of the (H2O)n-SO2 complexes in argon matrices.

The infrared spectra of the (H(2)O)n-SO(2) complexes trapped in argon matrices have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition to the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes, the first spectroscopic evidence for the 3:1 complex has been obtained from the spectra of the SO stretching and the OH stretching modes. The observed frequency shifts in the bonded OH stretching region indicate that the hydrogen bonds of the 2:1 and 3:1 complexes are strengthened compared to that of the 1:1 complex, which suggests the cyclic structure of the complexes.

Infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes (H2O)2-(N2)n(n = 1-4) in argon matrices.

The infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes trapped in argon matrices have been studied with Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The absorption lines of the H20-N2 1:1, 1:2, 1:n, and 2:1 complexes have been confirmed on the basis of the concentration effects. In addition, we have observed a few lines and propose the assignments for the 2:2, 2:3, and 2:4 complexes in the nu1 symmetric stretching and nu2 bending regions of the proton-acceptor molecule, and in the bonded OH stretching region of the proton-donor molecule. The redshifts in the bonded OH stretching mode and blueshifts in the OH bending mode suggest that the hydrogen bonds in the (H2O)2-(N2)n complexes with n = 1-4 are strengthened by the cooperative effects compared to the pure H2O dimer. Two absorption bands due to the 3:n complexes are also observed near the bonded OH stretching region of the H2O trimer.

Infrared spectra of water clusters in krypton and xenon matrices.

The infrared absorption spectra of the water molecules and small water clusters, (H(2)O)(n) with n = 2-6, trapped in solid argon, krypton, and xenon matrices have been investigated. The infrared bands of the water clusters with n = 5 and 6 in krypton and n = 3, 4, 5, and 6 in xenon matrices have been identified for the first time in the bonded OH stretching region. The frequency shifts in the bonded OH stretching band of the water dimer and trimer in xenon matrices show fairly large deviations to the red from the empirical correlation between the matrix shifts and the square root of the critical temperatures of the matrix material. The observed anomalous shifts suggest that the water dimer and trimer in solid xenon are trapped in multiple sites, and that the structures of the preferential trapping sites are different from those in argon and krypton matrices.

Spectroscopic identification of the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster trapped in an argon matrix.

The infrared spectra of the carbon monoxide-water cluster as well as the CO monomer and dimer in an argon matrix at cryogenic temperatures have been reinvestigated on the basis of the isotope substitution experiment with 12CO and 13CO. Lines due to the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster in the matrix have been unambiguously identified in the CO and OH stretching regions. The isotope effect on the vibrational frequency of the cluster is observed in the CO stretching vibration but neither in the symmetric nor antisymmetric OH stretching vibrations. Each of the two vibrational lines due to the two CO vibrations of the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster is examined by comparing the expected spectral features at a 12CO/13CO ratio on a simulation with those observed experimentally. The migration of the trapped molecules (CO and H2O) in the matrix is discussed, in which the observed spectral change with the deposition temperature from 14 K to 30 K is explained.

Submillimeter-Wave Spectra of the SF Radical.

Pure rotational transitions of the SF radical in the ground electronic state, (2)Pi, have been measured in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave region using a spectrometer equipped with backward wave oscillators as radiation sources. The radical was generated by a dc discharge in a gas mixture of SF(6) and He. Forty-four lines have been measured in the frequency range from 248 to 845 GHz, for J values up to 25.5. The accuracy in line position measurement is typically 20-100 kHz, depending on the Doppler broadening. The present data were analyzed by a least-squares-fit procedure using an effective Hamiltonian for (2)Pi states, together with the transition frequencies in the microwave region available in the literature. The molecular constants have been revised with improved accuracy. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.