Victoria L. Ayles

Interaction potentials and transport properties of coinage metal cations in rare gases

High-level ab initio calculations are performed on the coinage metal cations (Cu+, Ag+, and Au+) interacting with each of the rare gases [Rg (Rg=He to Rn)]. The RCCSD(T) procedure is employed, with basis sets being of approximately quintuple-zeta quality, but with the heavier species using relativistic effective core potentials. The interaction potentials are compared to experimental and theoretical data where they exist. In addition, transport coefficients for the mobility and diffusion of the cations in the rare gases are calculated. The latter have involved a rewriting of some of the programs used, and the required modifications are discussed. The mobility results indicate that, rather than being a rare occurrence, mobility minima may be common phenomena. Finally, a new estimate is put forward for the validity of zero-field mobilities in ion mobility spectrometry.

Progress in understanding the intramolecular vibrational redistribution dynamics in the S1 state of para-fluorotoluene

We employ zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy with nanosecond laser pulses to study intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) in S(1) para-fluorotoluene. The frequency resolution of the probe step is superior to that obtained in any studies on this molecule to date. We focus on the behavior of the 13(1) (C-CH(3) stretch) and 7a(1) (C-F stretch) vibrational states whose dynamics have previously received significant attention, but with contradictory results. We show conclusively that, under our experimental conditions, the 7a(1) vibrational state undergoes significantly more efficient IVR than does the 13(1) state. Indeed, under the experimental conditions used here, the 13(1) state undergoes very little IVR. These two states are especially interesting because their energies are only 36 cm(-1) apart, and the two vibrational modes have the same symmetry. We discuss the role of experimental conditions in observations of IVR in some detail, and thereby suggest explanations for the discrepancies reported to date.