René Kalus

Theoretical modeling of ionization energies of argon clusters: Nuclear delocalization effects

Temperature dependence of vertical ionization energies is modeled for small argon clusters (N ≤ 13) using classical parallel-tempering Monte Carlo methods and extended interaction models based on the diatomics-in-molecules approach. Quantum effects at the zero temperature are also discussed in terms of zero-point nuclear vibrations, either at the harmonic approximation level or at the fully anharmonic level using the diffusion Monte Carlo calculations. Both approaches lead to a considerable improvement of the theoretical predictions of argon clusters ionization energies and represent a realistic way of modeling of ionization energies for weakly bound and floppy complexes in general. A thorough comparison with a recent electron-impact experiment [O. Echt et al., J. Chem. Phys. 123, 084313 (2005)] is presented and a novel interpretation of the experimental data is proposed.

Thermodynamics of water clusters under high pressures. A case study for (H2O)15 and (H2O)15CH4

Thermal properties and structures of the water cluster containing fifteen molecules, either pure or doped with methane, are studied via classical parallel tempering Monte Carlo calculations in the isothermal-isobaric ensemble. The main emphasis is on structural transformations the cluster undergoes with increasing temperature and pressure. A simple TIP4P interaction model is employed for water and the unified-atom approximation with a Lennard-Jones potential is used to model the methane-water interaction. The results are compared with the data obtained recently for zero temperature via evolutionary algorithm calculations [Hartke, J. Chem. Phys., 2009, 130 art. no. 024905].

Multiscale non-adiabatic dynamics with radiative decay, case study on the post-ionization fragmentation of rare-gas tetramers

A novel multiscale method introducing radiative decay in realistic simulations of complex systems involving metastable states is proposed in order to address the competition between non-radiative and radiative processes. Specific implementation of the proposed method is used in a case study of the post-ionization fragmentation of heavier rare-gas tetramers considered for very long times. The present multiscale approach allows to take into account the non-adiabatic dynamics typically in tens of picoseconds as well as radiative decay typically in the microsecond regime. Agreement with experimental findings that mainly monomer ion fragments are produced is found here for the first time for Kr4+ and to some extent also for Xe4+.

Vibrational spectrum of Ar3(+) and relative importance of linear and perpendicular isomers in its photodissociation.

The photodissociation dynamics of the argon ionized trimer Ar(3)(+) is revisited in the light of recent experimental results of Lepère et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 194301 (2009)], which show that the fragment with little kinetic energy is always a neutral one, thus the available energy is shared by a neutral and ionic fragments as in Ar(2)(+). We show that these results can be interpreted as the photodissociation of the linear isomer of the system. We perform a 3D quantum computation of the vibrational spectrum of the system and study the relative populations of the linear (trimer-core) and perpendicular (dimer-core) isomers. We then show that the charge initially located on the central atom in the ground electronic state of the linear isomer migrates toward the extreme ones in the photoexcitation process such that photodissociation of the linear isomer produces a neutral central atom at rest in agreement with measured product state distributions.

Photodissociation dynamics of ionic argon pentamer

Photodissociation of the ionized argon pentamer, Ar(5)(+), is studied using an extended diatomics-in-molecules interaction model with the inclusion of the spin-orbit coupling and various dynamical approaches. A thorough comparison with the experimental data available in the literature is presented, including photofragment abundances and their kinetic and internal energy distributions. New predictions are reported for ultraviolet photoexcitation energies, a range that has not been studied before either experimentally or theoretically.

Photodissociation of medium-sized argon cluster cations in the visible region

Semiclassical methods for non-adiabatic dynamics simulations, based on a semiempirical diatomics-in-molecules model of intracluster interactions and the mean-field dynamical approach with the inclusion of quantum decoherence, have been used to study the photodissociation of argon cluster cations, Ar(N)(+)(N = 6-19), at E(phot) = 2.35 eV. Time periods upto t = 200 ps have been considered and abundance of ionic and neutral fragments, their time evolution and stability have been investigated and compared with available experimental data as well as earlier theoretical studies. A good agreement has been achieved between our predictions and the experimental data and deviations from earlier dynamical calculations are discussed.

First principles transport coefficients and reaction rates of Ar 2+ ions in argon for cold plasma jet modeling

Momentum-transfer collision cross-sections and integral collision cross-sections for the collision-induced dissociation are calculated for collisions of ionized argon dimers with argon atoms using a nonadiabatic semiclassical method with the electronic Hamiltonian calculated on the fly via a diatomics-in-molecules semiempirical model as well as inverse-method modeling based on simple isotropic rigid-core potential. The collision cross-sections are then used in an optimized Monte Carlo code for evaluations of the Ar 2 (+) mobility in argon gas, longitudinal diffusion coefficient, and collision-induced dissociation rates. A thorough comparison of various theoretical calculations as well as with available experimental data on the Ar 2 (+) mobility and collision cross-sections is performed. Good agreement is found between both theoretical approaches and the experiment. Analysis of the role of inelastic processes in Ar 2 (+)/Ar collisions is also provided.

Transport and dissociation of neon dimer cations in neon gas: a joint dynamical and Monte Carlo modeling

A hybrid dynamical method based on the classical treatment of nuclei and the quantum treatment of electrons was used to calculate momentum transfer and dissociation cross-sections for collisions of neon dimer cations with neon atoms. For the inclusion of nuclear quantum effects, a semi-empirical factor was introduced to correct the hybrid momentum transfer cross-sections at low collision energies. Both uncorrected and quantum corrected hybrid cross-sections were used to calculate the mobility, and longitudinal and transverse characteristic diffusion energies over a wide range of the reduced electric field. Furthermore, the dissociation rate constant was calculated and compared to measured data. In addition, an approximate inverse method based on an effective isotropic interaction potential was also used to calculate the momentum transfer cross-sections and related transport data.

Structural changes in water and Ar-water clusters under high pressure

Specific size gas-water clusters are currently receiving considerable attention, as models for inclusion compounds of different type of clathrate hydrates. As model microsolutions they retain many characteristics of the bulk, are theoretically tractable, and can be used to probe the relevant guest/host interactions, as well as to derive and to test intermolecular potentials that can be also used under different thermodynamic conditions.