The electron affinity of the uranium atom.

Abstract

The results of a combined experimental and computational study of the uranium atom are presented with the aim of determining its electron affinity. Experimentally, the electron affinity of uranium was measured via negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy of the uranium atomic anion, U-. Computationally, the electron affinities of both thorium and uranium were calculated by conducting relativistic coupled-cluster and multi-reference configuration interaction calculations. The experimentally determined value of the electron affinity of the uranium atom was determined to be 0.309 ± 0.025eV. The computationally predicted electron affinity of uranium based on composite coupled cluster calculations and full four-component spin-orbit coupling was found to be 0.232eV. Predominately due to a better convergence of the coupled cluster sequence for Th and Th-, the final calculated electron affinity of Th, 0.565eV, was in much better agreement with the accurate experimental value of 0.608eV. In both cases, the ground state of the anion corresponds to electron attachment to the 6d orbital.