Charles E. Jones

Versatile cluster based photoelectron spectrometer

A recently constructed cluster based photoelectron spectrometer is described. This instrumentation is unique in that it enables the kinetic energy analysis of electrons ejected from both anions and neutral clusters. This capability permits the investigation of discrete electronic levels in all charge states (anionic, neutral, and cationic). A laser vaporization plasma reactor cluster source affixed with a sublimation cell is employed to produce a variety of metal clusters, and the resulting cluster distributions are analyzed with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The corresponding electronic structure is analyzed with a “magnetic bottle” photoelectron spectrometer. Examples of instrument performance operating in both anion photodetachment and neutral multiphoton ionization (MPI) modes are provided. In the case of neutral MPI, the corresponding product distribution is collected with a Wiley-McLaren [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 26, 1150 (1955)] mass spectrometer mounted perpendicular to the magnetic bottle photoelec...

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional investigation of vanadium carbide clusters.

The influence of source conditions on vanadium-carbon cluster formation in a methane-vanadium plasma is explored and analyzed by photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing that the metal-carbon ratio has substantial influence over the cluster products. Experiments that employ large methane content produce carbon-rich mono- and divanadium carbides. The carbon-rich clusters show a preference for the formation of cyclic neutral and linear ionic structures. When the methane concentration is decreased, VmCn clusters are formed with m = 1-4 and n = 2-8. The photoelectron spectra of clusters formed under these conditions are indicative of a three-dimensional network. We have measured a significantly lower vertical electron affinity for the VC2, V2C3, and V4C6 clusters compared with proximate species. Interestingly, the VC2 species is a proposed building block of the M8C12 Met-Car cluster, and the 2,3 and 4,6 clusters correspond to the 1/4 and 1/2 Met-Car cages, respectively. This correlation is taken as evidence of their importance in the formation of the larger Met-Car species. These results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations carried out at the PBE/GGA level.

Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study of AlnX (n = 1−6; X = As, Sb) Clusters: Evidence of Aromaticity and the Jellium Model

The electronic structure of Al(n)X (n = 1-6; X = As, Sb) clusters has been investigated using a synergistic approach combining negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy and first principles electronic structure calculations. It is shown that Al(3)X and Al(5)X exhibit enhanced energetic stability, as evidenced from calculated removal and embedding energies as well as chemical stability manifested through a large gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). However, the stabilities of these species are derived from different mechanisms. Al(3)As and Al(3)Sb, with HOMO-LUMO gaps of 1.86 and 1.73 eV, respectively, are shown to have planar geometries where the p orbitals combine to form one pi and two sigma aromatic orbitals reminiscent of conventional all-metal aromatic species. Al(5)As and Al(5)Sb, with 20 valence electrons, possess a closed electronic shell (1s(2), 1p(6), 1d(10), 2s(2)) within a jellium framework and have HOMO-LUMO gaps of 1.12 and 1.17 eV, respectively.

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional investigation of diniobium-carbon clusters.

Experimental photoelectron and computational results show diniobium-carbon (Nb(2)C(n)) clusters to coexist in multiple structural isomers: three-dimensional geometries, planar rings, and linear chains. Three-dimensional clusters having up to five carbons are formed preferentially with Nb-Nb bonding, whereas only Nb-C bonding is observed experimentally at six carbons. Clusters consisting of an odd number of atoms are also observed with linear geometries. The larger binary clusters (n > or = 7) display properties similar to those of pure carbon clusters. We provide evidence for niobium substitution of carbon atoms.

Structural evolution of triniobium carbide clusters: evidence of large Cn chains (n = 3-4) in Nb3Cn- (n = 5-10) clusters.

First-principle density functional calculations and photoelectron spectroscopy experiments show that triniobium carbide clusters exist in multiple motifs. The Nb(3)C(n)(-) (n = 5-10) series have isomers surrounding a triangular Nb(3) base while incorporating Nb-C bonding. We provide evidence of not only C(2) carbon chains but also stable isomers with previously unidentified C(3) and C(4) carbon chains in triniobium carbide clusters.

Electron dynamics of metal-carbon clusters

This chapter studies the ionization and electron detachment dynamics of several transition metal–carbon clusters with time-resolved multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry and anion photoelectron spectroscopy. Although nanosecond experiments on metallocarbohedrenes (Met-Car) clusters exhibit significant delayed ionization, prompt ionization is preferential with femtosecond ionization. Photodetachment experiments on anionic vanadium carbides provide insights into the growth mechanism of Met-Cars and other large metal–carbon networks. A connection is made among VC 2 , V 2 C 3 , and V 4 C 6 based on the electron affinities that are determined. These clusters display the lowest electron affinities of all clusters considered in the chapter. A similar effect was observed for the Met-Car with respect to similar-sized metal–carbon clusters. The influence of laser vaporization conditions on the geometric and electronic properties of the clusters generated is investigated.