P. D. Kleiber

Reactive collision dynamics by far wing laser scattering: Mg+H2

We have measured the far wing absorption profiles of the MgH2 collision system leading to both the nonreactive formation of Mg* and into two distinct final rotational states of the reaction product MgH (v‘=0, J‘=6, 23). We have observed qualitatively expected behavior including a pronounced red wing in the reactive absorption profile indicating strong reaction probability on the excited attractive potential surfaces. We have also observed novel aspects of the excited state dynamics including reactive vs nonreactive channel competition effects and a strong far blue wing reactive absorption suggesting significant reaction probability even for trajectories on the repulsive surfaces. We have developed a simple theoretical model to semiquantitatively explain our experimental results. This model uses standard quasistatic theory to estimate the absorption probability as a function of detuning between levels of MgH2 and with assumed nonreactive vs reactive branching ratios, accounts for the subsequent evolution on the excited potential surfaces. This theory correctly predicts the overall shapes of the profiles and in general gives reasonable predictions for the relative magnitudes of the wing intensities.We have measured the far wing absorption profiles of the MgH2 collision system leading to both the nonreactive formation of Mg* and into two distinct final rotational states of the reaction product MgH (v‘=0, J‘=6, 23). We have observed qualitatively expected behavior including a pronounced red wing in the reactive absorption profile indicating strong reaction probability on the excited attractive potential surfaces. We have also observed novel aspects of the excited state dynamics including reactive vs nonreactive channel competition effects and a strong far blue wing reactive absorption suggesting significant reaction probability even for trajectories on the repulsive surfaces. We have developed a simple theoretical model to semiquantitatively explain our experimental results. This model uses standard quasistatic theory to estimate the absorption probability as a function of detuning between levels of MgH2 and with assumed nonreactive vs reactive branching ratios, accounts for the subsequent evolution o...

Photodissociation spectroscopy of MgCH+4

The photodissociation spectroscopy of MgCH+4 has been studied in a reflectron time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. MgCH+4 molecular absorption bands are observed to the red of the Mg+(3 2PJ←3 2S1/2) atomic ion resonance lines. The photofragmentation action spectrum consists of a broad structureless continuum ranging from 310 nm to 342 nm, and peaking near 325 nm. In this spectral region, both the nonreactive (Mg+), and two reactive fragmentation products (MgH+ and MgCH+3) are observed, all with similar action spectra. The product branching is independent of wavelength, Mg+:MgCH+3:MgH+∼60:33:7. The absorption is assigned to the transition (1 2E←1 2A1) in C3v symmetry (with η3 coordination), followed by a geometrical relaxation of the complex toward states of 2B1 and 2B2 symmetry in C2v geometry (with η2 coordination). Dissociation requires a nonadiabatic transition to the ground electronic surface. Analysis of broadening in the photofragment flight time profile shows the nonreactive Mg+ product angular distri...

Photodissociation spectroscopy and dynamics of MgC2H4

The weakly bound ion–molecule complex MgC2H4+ has been studied by photodissociation spectroscopy in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer over the spectral range 218–510 nm. Mg+ is the major photofragment throughout this range, although for λ<270 nm, charge-transfer dissociation to C2H4+ is observed as a minor channel. We have identified five absorption bands of MgC2H4+. The spectral assignment is facilitated by results from ab initio calculations for the ground and low-lying excited states of MgC2H4+. Three of the bands, 1 2B2←1 2A1, 1 2B1←1 2A1, and 2 2A1←1 2A1, are based primarily in the metal-centered Mg+(3p 2P←3s 2S) atomic transition. One of the remaining bands is assigned as 2 2B2←1 2A1, a transition correlating with the a 3B1u←X 1Ag forbidden band of C2H4, with mixed charge-transfer character. The final band, 3 2A1←1 2A1, is assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition, enhanced by coupling with the nearby 2 2A1 state. The 1 2B2←1 2A1 band is a broad continuum, indicative of fa...

Reactive collision dynamics of Na*(4 2P)+H2 and HD: Experiment and theory

We have used a ‘‘half‐collision’’ pump–probe technique to measure the far wing absorption profiles of the NaH2 collision complex leading to the nonreactive formation of Na* and to four distinct final rotational states of the reaction product NaH(v‘=1, J‘=3, 4, 11, and 13). We have observed reaction on both the attractive potential energy surfaces and over a barrier on the repulsive surface. We have observed the effect of the Na* reagent electronic orbital alignment on the NaH final product rotational state distribution. Specifically, absorption to the repulsive surface leads preferentially to low‐rotational product states, while absorption to the attractive surfaces leads preferentially to high‐rotational product states of NaH. Isotopic substitution experiments give evidence of a kinematic isotope effect on the product rotational state distribution for reactive trajectories on the repulsive surface. We have developed a simple model using a quantum mechanical line shape calculation to estimate the NaH2 abs...

Photodissociation spectroscopy of CaCH4

We report on studies of the structure and dissociation of CaCH4+ and its isotopomer CaCD4+, using photodissociation spectroscopy. Molecular absorption bands are observed to the red of the Ca+ (4p 2P←4s 2S) resonance transition. The photodissociation action spectrum shows evidence for spin–orbit doubling and complex rovibrational structure. No reactive quenching product is observed. The transition is assigned as 2E←2A1 in C3v geometry. The spin–orbit constant in the upper state is found to be Aso=111±4 cm−1. The action spectrum shows a strong progression in the Ca+–CH4 (CD4) intermolecular stretch in the 2E state with a fundamental stretch frequency of ωs′=270±16(244±4) cm−1. Weaker intermolecular bending vibration is also apparent, with a fundamental bending frequency of ωb′=112±16(92±14) cm−1 for Ca+–CH4(CD4). The resonances show evidence for predissociation broadening. These results differ markedly from our previous results on the analogous MgCH4+ system.

Reactive uptake of acetic acid on calcite and nitric acid reacted calcite aerosol in an environmental reaction chamber

The heterogeneous chemistry of gas-phase acetic acid with CaCO(3)(calcite) aerosol was studied under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) in an environmental reaction chamber. Infrared spectroscopy showed the loss of gas-phase reactant and the appearance of a gaseous product species, CO(2). The acetic acid is observed to adsorb onto the calcite aerosol through both a fast and a slow uptake channel. While the fast channel is relatively independent of RH, the slow channel exhibits enhanced uptake and reaction as the RH is increased. In additional experiments, the calcite aerosol was exposed to both nitric and acetic acids in the presence of water vapor. The rapid conversion of the particulate carbonate to nitrate and subsequent deliquescence significantly enhances the uptake and reaction of acetic acid. These results suggest a possible mechanism for observed correlations between particulate nitrate and organic acids in the atmosphere. Calcium rich mineral dust may be an important sink for simple organic acids.

Heterogeneous interactions of calcite aerosol with sulfur dioxide and sulfur dioxide–nitric acid mixtures

The heterogeneous chemistry of sulfur dioxide with CaCO(3) (calcite) aerosol as a function of relative humidity (RH) has been studied under isolated particle conditions in an atmospheric reaction chamber using infrared absorption spectroscopy. The reaction of SO(2) with calcite produced gas phase CO(2) as a product in addition to the conversion of the particulate carbonate to sulfite. The reaction extent was found to increase with elevated RH, as has been observed for the similar reaction with HNO(3), but much higher relative humidities were needed to significantly enhance the reaction. Mixed experiments in which calcite aerosol was exposed to both HNO(3) and SO(2) were also performed. The overall reaction extent at a given relative humidity did not appear to be increased by having both reactant gases present. The role of carbonate aerosol as an atmospheric sink for sulfur dioxide and particulate nitrogen and sulfur correlations are discussed.

Nascent rotational quantum state distribution of NaH (NaD) from the reaction of Na*(4 2P) with H2, D2, and HD

The nascent rotational quantum state distributions of NaH and NaD products resulting from the reactions of Na*(4 2Pj) with H2, D2, and HD have been determined using the laser pump–probe technique. We have observed a bimodal rotational distribution with a minor component peaking at low J and a major component peaking at high J. We have observed no evidence for a kinematic isotope effect on the product distribution. Our results are consistent with a model wherein the reaction occurs predominantly on the attractive 2B2 potential energy surface in near C2v geometry with the rotational distribution being determined late in the exit channel.

A Newly Designed and Constructed Instrument for Coupled Infrared Extinction and Size Distribution Measurements of Aerosols

Although atmospheric particles are often non-spherical, Mie theory is commonly used to acquire aerosol optical depth, composition, and transport information from satellite retrievals. In the infrared (IR) region, the radiative effects of aerosols, usually modeled with Mie theory, are subtracted from satellite spectral data to determine key atmospheric and oceanic properties. To gain a better understanding of the infrared radiative effects of aerosols and the methods used to model them, an instrument has been designed to simultaneously measure infrared extinction spectra and particle size distributions obtained from a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). Infrared extinction spectra are simulated with Mie theory using the measured particle size distributions and available literature optical constants. As a result, the errors associated with using Mie theory to model the infrared extinction of mineral dust aerosol can be quantitatively examined. Initial results for this instrument are presented here. For ammonium sulfate, the Mie theory simulation is in good agreement with our measured extinction spectrum. This is in accordance with the nearly spherical shape of ammonium sulfate particles. However, for illite, an abundant clay mineral, there is poor agreement between the experimental spectrum and the Mie simulation. This result is attributed to particle shape effects.

Direct excitation studies of the diffuse bands of alkali metal dimers

Direct dye laser excitations of the K2 yellow, Rb2 orange, and Cs2 near‐infrared diffuse bands have been investigated. Experimental results are shown to be consistent with the assumed bound–free 2 3Πg–1 3∑+u excitations. It is found that for Rb2 and Cs2, spin–orbit interactions become so significant that the 2 3Πg state is strongly split into three quite independent component states.