Augmented Correlation-consistent Polarized Valence Triple-zeta Research Articles

Collisional excitation of HCNH+ by He and H2: New potential energy surfaces and inelastic rate coefficients.

Protonated molecules have been increasingly detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), and usually astrochemical models fail at reproducing the abundances derived from observational spectra. Rigorous interpretation of the detected interstellar emission lines requires prior calculations of collisional rate coefficients with H2 and He, i.e., the most abundant species in the ISM. In this work, we focus on the excitation of HCNH+ induced by collision with H2 and He. Therefore, we first calculate ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) using the explicitly correlated and standard coupled cluster method with single, double, and non-iterative triple excitation in conjunction with the augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta basis set. Both the HCNH+-H2 and HCNH+-He potentials are characterized by deep global minima of 1426.60 and 271.72 cm-1, respectively, and large anisotropies. From these PESs, we derive state-to-state inelastic cross sections for the 16 low-lying rotational energy levels of HCNH+ using the quantum mechanical close-coupling approach. The differences between cross sections due to ortho- and para-H2 impacts turn out to be minor. Using a thermal average of these data, we retrieve downward rate coefficients for kinetic temperatures of up to 100K. As it could be anticipated, differences of up to two orders of magnitude exist between the rate coefficients induced by H2 and He collisions. We expect that our new collision data will help to improve the disagreement between abundances retrieved from observational spectra and astrochemical models.

Rotational excitation of NS+ by H2 revisited: A new global potential energy surface and rate coefficients.

Due to the lack of specific collisional data, the abundance of NS+ in cold dense interstellar clouds was determined using collisional rate coefficients of CS as a substitute. To better understand the chemistry of sulfur in the interstellar medium, further abundance modeling using the actual NS+ collisional rate coefficients is needed. For this purpose, we have computed the first full 4D potential energy surface of the NS+-H2 van der Waals complex using the explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach with single, double, and non-iterative triple excitation in conjunction with the augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta basis set. The potential energy surface exhibits a global minimum of 848.24 cm-1 for a planar configuration of the complex. The long-range interaction energy, described using multipolar moments, is sensitive to the orientation of H2 up to radial distances of ∼50 a0. From this new interaction potential, we derived excitation cross sections, induced by collision with ortho- and para-H2, for the 15 low-lying rotational levels of NS+ using the quantum mechanical close-coupling approach. By thermally averaging these data, we determined downward rate coefficients for temperatures up to 50K. By comparing them with the previous NS+-H2 data, we demonstrated that reduced dimensional approaches are not suited for this system. In addition, we found that the CS collisional data underestimate our results by up to an order of magnitude. The differences clearly indicate that the abundance of NS+, in cold dense clouds retrieved from observational spectra, must be reassessed using these new collisional rate coefficients.

Investigation of rotational (de-)excitation of cyanic acid (HOCN) by collision with He atoms

ABSTRACT The rotational inelastic (de-)excitation of the cyanic acid (HOCN) molecule by collision with helium (He) atoms is studied. A new three-dimensional potential energy surface (3D-PES) for the HOCN−He van der Waals system is given. Explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach with single, double and perturbative triple excitation (CCSD(T)-F12a) in conjunction with augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta (aVTZ) Gaussian basis set is adopted to generate the ab initio 3D-PES. A global minimum with a well depth of 87.59 cm−1 localized at R = 5.9 bohr, θ= 76°, ϕ = 90° is found. Rotational inelastic cross-sections relevant to the 21 first rotational levels (up to $J_{K_aK_c}=8_{08}$) are investigated for total energy up to 550 cm−1 using coupled-states approach. Thermal rate coefficients are obtained for temperatures ranging between 0 and 90 K. |ΔJ| = 1 with |ΔKa| = |ΔKc| = 0 processes are found to be the predominant ones.

Insights into rotational (de-)excitation of protonated tricarbon monoxide (HC3O+) by collision with helium atoms at low temperature

ABSTRACT New 2D potential energy surface (2D-PES) of interaction between protonated tricarbon monoxide (HC3O+) in its electronic ground state (X1Σ+) and helium (He) atoms is generated. The ab initio 2D-PES is computed by adopting explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach with single, double, and perturbative triple excitation (CCSD(T)-F12a) connected to augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta (aVTZ) Gaussian basis set. A global minimum at (θ = 80°, R = 5.6 bohr) with a well depth of 135.67 cm−1 and a local minimum at (θ = 180°, R = 9.95 bohr) with a well depth of 113.39 cm−1 are obtained. Rotational cross-sections of propynol cation HC3O+ induced by collision with He atoms are performed involving the 11 first rotational levels for total energy up till 150 cm−1, to be under the first vibrational mode, via coupled states (CS) approach. Thermal rate coefficients are then calculated for temperature until 25 K. No clear propensity rules are obtained where |ΔJ| = 1 processes predominate.

Inelastic scattering of interstellar silyl cyanide (SiH3CN) by helium atoms : cross-sections and rate coefficients for A- and E-SiH3CN

ABSTRACT Rotational inelastic scattering of silyl cyanide (SiH3CN) molecule with helium (He) atoms is investigated. Three-dimensional potential energy surface (3D-PES) for the SiH3CN–He interacting system is carried out. The ab initio 3D-PES is computed using explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach with single, double, and perturbative triple excitation CCSD(T)-F12a connected to augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta Gaussian basis set. A global minimum at (R = 6.35 bohr; θ = 90○; ϕ = 60○) with a well depth of 52.99 cm−1 is pointed out. Inelastic rotational cross-sections are emphasized for the 22 first rotational levels for total energy up to 500 cm−1 via close coupling (CC) approach in the case of A-SiH3CN and for the 24 first rotational levels for total energy up to 100 cm−1 via CC and from 100 to 500 cm−1 via coupled states (CS) in the case of E-SiH3CN. Rate coefficients are derived for temperature until 80 K for both A- and E-SiH3CN–He systems. Propensity rules are obtained for |ΔJ| = 2 processes with broken parity for A-SiH3CN and for |ΔJ| = 2 processes with |ΔK| = 0 and unbroken parity for E-SiH3CN.

Six-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface and bound States for He-H2S complex

We present a new six-dimensional potential energy surface for He-H2S including the intramolecular Q1, Q2, and Q3 normal modes for the ν1 symmetric stretching, ν2 bending and ν3 asymmetric stretching of H2S. The potential was calculated at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triples [CCSD(T)]-F12a level with augmented correlation-consistent polarized-valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set plus the midpoint bond function (3s3p2d1f1g). Three vibrationally averaged potentials with H2S at the vibrational ground state ν1 as well as the excited states ν2 and ν3 were generated from the integration of the six-dimensional potential over the Q1, Q2 and Q3 coordinates. Each potential has a planar T-shaped global minimum, a planar local minimum, two inplane saddle points as well as an out-plane saddle point. The global minimum is located at R=3.46 Å, θ=109.9° and φ=0.0° with a well depth of 35.301 cm−1. The radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation method and the Lanczos algorithm were employed to calculate the rovibrational energy levels. The calculated band origins are blue-shifted (0.025 cm−1 and 0.031 cm−1) and (0.041 cm−1 and 0.060 cm−1) for He-(para-H2S) and He-(ortho-H2S) in the ν2 and ν3 region of the H2S molecule, respectively.

A new four-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface and rovibrational spectra for the C2H2–Ar complex

ABSTRACT We report a new four-dimensional potential energy surface for the C2H2–Ar complex involving the and normal modes for the symmetric stretching and asymmetric stretching vibration of the C2H2 molecule. The potential was constructed at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triples [CCSD(T)]-F12 level with augmented correlation-consistent polarized-valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set supplemented with midpoint bond functions (3s3p2d1f1g). Two vibrationally averaged potentials with C2H2 at the vibrational ground and excited states were obtained by the integration of the potential over the and coordinates. It was found that each averaged potential has two equivalent T-shaped global minima, two equivalent local minima as well as three saddle points among them. The global minima are located at = 3.97 Å, = 61.4°/118.6° with a well depth of 125.47 cm−1. The rovibrational energy levels and bound states were calculated adopting radial discrete variable representation (DVR)/angular finite basis representation (FBR) and the Lanczos algorithm. The calculated band origin for C2H2–Ar is red-shift by −0.9937cm−1 in the region of C2H2, which reproduces the observed value of −1.0749cm−1 successfully. Furthermore, the calculated microwave and infrared transition frequencies are in well good agreement with the experiment data.

Hyperfine excitation of NS+ due to para-H2(j = 0) impact

ABSTRACT Sulphur bearing nitrogenous compounds have been observed in space over this last decade. Modelling their abundances has been done using rate coefficients of isoelectronic molecules. In order to satisfy the astrophysical precision required, we report the actual rate coefficients of NS+ induced by collision with the most abundant interstellar species (para-H2). Considering the 23 low-lying rotational levels of NS+, we were able to compute the (hyperfine) rate coefficients up to 100 K. These latter were carried out by averaging cross-sections over the Maxwell–Boltzmann velocity distribution. The state-to-state inelastic cross-sections were determined in the quantum mechanical close coupling approach for total energies ranging up to 1400 cm−1. These dynamic data result from a four dimensional potential energy surface (4D-PES) which was spherically averaged over the H2 orientations. The 4D-PES was calculated using the explicitly correlated coupled cluster method with simple, double, and non-iterative triple excitation (CCSD(T)–F12) connected to the augmented–correlation consistent–polarized valence triple zeta Gaussian basis set (aug–cc–pVTZ). The so-averaged PES presents a very deep well of 596.72 cm−1 at R = 5.94 a0 and θ1 = 123.20°. Discussions on the propensity rules for the (hyperfine) rate coefficients were made and they are in favour of (Δj = ΔF) Δj = 1 transitions. The results presented here may be crucially needed in order to accurately model the NS+ abundance in space. In addition, we expect that this paper will encourage investigations on the sulphur bearing nitrogenous compounds.

Collisional excitation of interstellar PO(X2Π) by He: new ab initio potential energy surfaces and scattering calculations.

We present the first ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the PO(X2Π)-He van der Waals system. The PESs were obtained using the open-shell partially spin-restricted coupled cluster approach with single, double and perturbative triple excitations [UCCSD(T)]. The augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set was employed supplemented by mid-bond functions. Integral and differential cross sections for the rotational excitation in PO-He collisions were calculated using the new PES and compared with results in similar systems. Finally, our work presents the first hyperfine-resolved cross sections for this system that are needed for accurate modelling in astrophysical environments.

Cold collisions of SH- with He: Potential energy surface and rate coefficients.

Collisional energy transfer under cold conditions is of great importance from the fundamental and applicative point of view. Here, we investigate low temperature collisions of the SH- anion with He. We have generated a three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for the SH-(X1Σ+)-He(1S) van der Waals complex. The ab initio multi-dimensional interaction PES was computed using the explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach with simple, double, and perturbative triple excitation in conjunction with the augmented-correlation consistent-polarized valence triple zeta Gaussian basis set. The PES presents two minima located at linear geometries. Then, the PES was averaged over the ground vibrational wave function of the SH- molecule and the resulting two-dimensional PES was incorporated into exact quantum mechanical close coupling calculations to study the collisional excitation of SH- by He. We have computed inelastic cross sections among the 11 first rotational levels of SH- for energies up to 2500 cm-1. (De-)excitation rate coefficients were deduced for temperatures ranging from 1 to 300 K by thermally averaging the cross sections. We also performed calculations using the new PES for a fixed internuclear SH- distance. Both sets of results were found to be in reasonable agreement despite differences existing at low temperatures confirming that accurate predictions require the consideration of all internal degrees of freedom in the case of molecular hydrides. The rate coefficients presented here may be useful in interpreting future experimental work on the SH- negative ion colliding with He as those recently done for the OH--He collisional system as well as for possible astrophysical applications in case SH- would be detected in the interstellar medium.

The structures and vibrational spectra of the methyl halide dimers. An ab initio study

Four homodimers and six heterodimers of the methyl halides, CH3X (X = F, Cl, Br, I), have been examined by means of ab initio calculations at the second order level of Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and with an augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set. Three families of dimers have been found. All four homodimers optimize as both cyclic doubly hydrogen-bonded CH … X species and as non-hydrogen-bonded van der Waals C … X aggregates. All six heterodimers also optimize with cyclic doubly bonded structures; in addition, three of them are non-hydrogen-bonded with C … X linkages, and the three containing CH3I are singly bonded, with a CH … I interaction. The properties normally regarded as distinguishing features separating red-shifted from blue-shifted hydrogen bond interactions (CH bond length changes, shifts of the CH stretching wavenumbers and infrared CH stretching band intensity ratios) have been determined, and their variations with respect to the structures of the adducts have been rationalized.

Rotational excitation of NCO induced by collision with Helium at low temperatures

We report the cross sections and the transitional rates of the first 11 rotational levels of the NCO induced by collision with He at low temperatures. For this purpose, we have calculated the potential energy surface (PES), i.e transitional structure between the NCO(X1Σ) and He() by using the coupled cluster singles and doubles perturbed by triple excitations (CCSD(T)). The augmented correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta (AVTZ) basis set to which we have associated the mid-bond functions, between the molecule and the projectile for a better description of the van der Waals interaction, was used. The PES was interpolated by the Legendre polynomials, analytically fitted, then used for the evaluation of the integral state-to-state rotational transitions cross sections in the close-coupling approach. The rate coefficients were subsequently computed for low kinetic temperature (T 150K).

Communication: An accurate global potential energy surface for the OH + CO → H + CO2 reaction using neural networks

We report a new global potential energy surface of the HOCO system based on the F12 correction of unrestricted coupled-cluster with singles doubles and approximative triples using the augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set (UCCSD(T)-F12/AVTZ), fitted by using the neural networks. Quantum dynamics calculations confirmed the satisfactory convergence of surface with respect to the number of data points and fitting process. It is found that the total reaction probabilities and complex-formation probabilities obtained on the present surface differ considerably with those obtained on the potential energy surface recently reported by Li et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 136, 041103 (2012)]. Various comparisons revealed that the present surface is substantially more accurate than that surface, representing the best available potential energy surface for this benchmark complex-forming four-atom system.

Ab initio potential energy surfaces for NH(Σ3−)–NH(Σ3−) with analytical long range

We present four-dimensional ab initio potential energy surfaces for the three different spin states of the NH(Σ3−)–NH(Σ3−) complex. The potentials are partially based on the work of Dhont et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 123, 184302 (2005)]. The surface for the quintet state is obtained at the RCCSD(T)/augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) level of theory and the energy differences with the singlet and triplet states are calculated at the complete active space with nth-order perturbation theory/aug-cc-pVTZ (n=2,3) level of theory. The ab initio potentials are fitted to coupled spherical harmonics in the angular coordinates, and the long range is further expanded as a power series in 1/R. The RCCSD(T) potential is corrected for a size-consistency error of about 0.5×10−6 Eh prior to fitting. The long-range coefficients obtained from the fit are found to be in good agreement with first and second-order perturbation theory calculations.

Study of the Xe–NH3 van der Waals complex: High-resolution microwave spectra and ab initio calculations

An ab initio potential energy surface of the Xe-NH(3) van der Waals complex was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and pertubatively included triple excitations. The small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta basis set was used for the Xe atom and Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set for the other atoms. The basis sets were supplemented with midbond functions. Rotational spectra of the Xe-NH(3) van der Waals complex were recorded using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions within two internal rotor states, namely, the Sigma0(0) and Pi1(1) (lower) states, were measured and assigned to the Xe-(14)NH(3) and Xe-(15)NH(3) isotopologues. For the deuterated isotopologues, only the Sigma0(0) states were observed. Two inversion components were observed for each state except for the "s" component of the Sigma0(0) state of the Xe-(14)NH(3) and Xe-(15)NH(3) isotopologues, which has a spin statistical weight of zero. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures arising from the (14)N (nuclear spin angular momentum quantum number I=1) and (131)Xe (I=32) nuclei were detected and analyzed. The observed spectra suggest that the Pi1(1) (lower) state has lower energy than the unobserved Sigma1(1) state, in contrast to the case of Ar-NH(3).

Searching of potential energy curves for the benzene dimer using dispersion-corrected density functional theory

The present work aims to establish the utility of dispersion-corrected density functional theory for potential energy curves of the benzene dimer, a problem that has received significant attention for a long time. The interaction energies of parallel-stacked, T-shaped and parallel-displaced benzene dimer configurations have been evaluated using both dispersion- and normal gradient-corrected Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functionals along with Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis functions and compared with explicit correlation methods. The potential energy curves for the parallel-stacked and parallel-displaced benzene dimers are in excellent agreement with highly accurate coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) results, while for the T-shaped benzene dimer the dispersion-corrected results show a distinct deviation, being closer in that case to the MP2 level of results. The overestimation of interaction energy in the T-shaped dimer may be attributed to the presence of a permanent dipole moment in this configuration and indicates a structural dependence of the dispersion-corrected density functional method.

Rotational Spectroscopic and ab Initio Studies of the Xe−H2O van der Waals Dimer

An ab initio potential energy surface of the Xe-H(2)O van der Waals dimer was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and pertubatively included triple excitations. For the Xe atom, the small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta (aug-cc-pVQZ-PP) basis set was used. Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set was chosen for O and H atoms. Midbond functions were used to supplement the atom-centered basis sets. Rotational spectra of the Xe-H(2)O van der Waals dimer were recorded with a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions within two internal rotor states, namely, the 0(00) and 1(01) states, were measured and assigned. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the (131)Xe (I = (3)/(2)), D (I = 1) and (17)O (I = (5)/(2)) nuclei were also observed and analyzed. Information about the molecular structure and the H(2)O angular motions was extracted from the spectroscopic results with the assistance of the ab initio potential.

Microwave and ab initio studies of the Xe–CH4 van der Waals complex

An ab initio potential-energy surface of the Xe-CH4 van der Waals complex was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and perturbatively included triple excitations. The recently developed small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta basis set was used for the xenon atom and Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set for the other atoms. The basis sets were supplemented with bond functions. Dipole moments were also calculated at various configurations. Rotational spectra of the Xe-CH4 van der Waals complex were recorded using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The isotopomers studied include those of CH4,13CH4,CD4,CH3D, and CHD3 with the five most abundant Xe isotopes. Transitions within three internal rotor states, namely, the j=0,K=0; j=1,K=0; and j=2,K=1 states, were observed and assigned. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the presence of 131Xe(I=3/2) were detected and analyzed. It was found that the j=1,K=0 state is perturbed by a Coriolis interaction with a nearby j=1,K=1 state. For isotopomers containing CH3D and CHD3, the j=2 states are no longer metastable and could not be observed. The spectroscopic results were used to derive structural and dynamical information of the Xe-CH4 complex.

Potential-energy surface for the electronic ground state of NH3 up to 20000cm−1 above equilibrium

Ab initio coupled cluster calculations with single and double substitutions and a perturbative treatment of connected triple excitations [CCSD(T)] with the augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta aug-cc-pVTZ basis at 51 816 geometries provide a six-dimensional potential-energy surface for the electronic ground state of NH3. At 3814 selected geometries, CBS+ energies are obtained by extrapolating the CCSD(T) results for the aug-cc-pVXZ(X=T,Q,5) basis sets to the complete basis set (CBS) limit and adding corrections for core-valence correlation and relativistic effects. CBS** ab initio energies are generated at 51,816 geometries by an empirical extrapolation of the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ results to the CBS+ limit. They cover the energy region up to 20,000 cm-1 above equilibrium. Parametrized analytical functions are fitted through the ab initio points. For these analytical surfaces, vibrational term values and transition moments are calculated by means of a variational program employing a kinetic-energy operator expressed in the Eckart-Sayvetz frame. Comparisons against experiment are used to assess the quality of the generated potential-energy surfaces. A "spectroscopic" potential-energy surface of NH3 is determined by a slight empirical adjustment of the ab initio potential to the experimental vibrational term values. Variational calculations on this refined surface yield rms deviations from experiment of 0.8 cm-1 for 24 inversion splittings and 0.4 (3.0) cm-1 for 34 (51) vibrational term values up to 6100 (10,300) cm-1.

Microwave spectra of the Xe–N2 van der Waals complex: A comparison of experiment and theory

Rotational transitions for the Xe-N2 complex were measured in the frequency region from 4 to 18 GHz using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. Twelve (four) a-type transitions were recorded for the 132Xe-14N2 and 129Xe-14N2 (131Xe-15N)) isotopomers. In addition, the nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the presence of the 14N (nuclear-spin quantum number I=1) and 131Xe (I=32) nuclei were detected and analyzed. Two ab initio potential-energy surfaces were calculated at the coupled-cluster level of theory with single, double, and pertubatively included triple excitations. Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set was used for the nitrogen atoms. For the first surface, a well-tempered basis set with additional polarization functions was used for the Xe atom; for the second surface, a newly developed augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quintuple-zeta basis set employing small-core relativistic pseudopotentials was used for the Xe atom. The basis sets were supplemented with bond functions for the van der Waals bond. The counterpoise correction was applied to reduce the basis-set superposition error. The resulting two surfaces both have a single minimum at a T-shaped geometry, with well depths of 122.4 and 119.3 cm(-1), respectively. Bound-state energies supported by the potential-energy surface were determined. The quality of the ab initio potential-energy surfaces was evaluated by comparison of the experimental transition frequencies and rotational and centrifugal distortion constants with those derived from the bound-state energies. A scaled potential-energy surface was obtained which has excellent agreement with the experimental data.