Laser-induced Fluorescence Excitation Research Articles

Low-frequency vibrations specific for conformers of 1-aminoindan studied by UV-UV hole-burning spectroscopy

The UV-UV hole-burning spectra of the jet-cooled 1-aminoindan were measured for the first time. Complicated spectral features observed in the laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum due to two conformers, R and B, were firmly separated. On the basis of fluorescence measurements and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations, low-frequency ring twisting and ring puckering modes were assigned. These modes are coupled in the S1 state due to the Duschinsky rotation. The Duschinsky matrix was calculated from the normal modes predicted by quantum chemical calculations. The coupling between the twisting and puckering modes for conformer B is stronger than that for conformer R. The twisting mode was observed at 0+99 cm(-1) in the S1 state for conformer B, while not for conformer R. The Franck-Condon activity of the twisting mode substantially differs between the two conformers. The transition to the twisting level for conformer B would be allowed by the Duschinsky rotation. The fluorescence lifetime of conformer vibronic levels was also measured and differed for each conformer.

Identification of two conformers of 5-indanol in a supersonic free jet

Two conformational isomers of 5-indanol have been identified in a supersonic jet expansion and their S 0 ↔ S 1 vibronic spectra have been investigated using laser induced fluorescence excitation, dispersed fluorescence and UV–UV hole-burning spectroscopy. Two conformational isomers appear due to the orientation of the –OH group at the 5-position of the benzene ring. The puckering C (1)H 2 frequency has been assigned with the aid of theoretical calculations. The experimental observations have been interpreted by the predicts of ab initio electronic structure calculations performed at the HF/6-31+G and MP2/6-31G level of theories.

Effect of alkyl substituents on excited state intramolecular proton transfer dynamics of jet-cooled bis(benzoxazolyl)phenoles

Structural factors affecting the dynamics of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) are studied for alkyl derivatives of 2,5-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)phenol. Two fluorescence bands with equal decay times are observed in solution, while only one--emitted by the phototautomer--in supersonic jet. All evidence indicates the existence of a potential barrier in the S(1) state. Upon deuteration of the OH group the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectra become much sharper as a result of slowing down the proton transfer reaction. Two conformers (rotamers) of each compound in the ground state were detected using hole burning technique. With a help of theoretical calculations three vibrations were identified as the most active ones in reducing the distance between two heavy atoms, N and O, involved in H-bond formation. The widths of (0,0) transitions in LIF excitation spectra decrease with increasing size or number of alkyl substituents at terminal aromatic rings. The corresponding calculated rate constants of ESIPT reaction ( approximately 10(12) s(-1)) decrease approximately three times upon the substituent effect. In contrast, model compound 2,5-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)-4-methoxyphenol (BBMP) with OCH(3) parasubstituent in central ring slows down the ESIPT reaction to such an extent that double, primary and phototautomeric, fluorescences coexist.

Spectroscopic studies on methyl torsional behavior in 1-methyl-2(1H)-pyridone, 1-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinimine, and 3-methyl-2(1H)-pyridone. I. Excited state

The laser induced fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra of three nitrogen heterocyclic molecules 1-methyl-2(1H)pyridone (1MPY), 1-methyl-2(1H)pyridinimine (1MPI), and 3-methyl-2(1H)pyridone (3MPY) have been studied under supersonic jet cooled condition. The methyl torsional and some low frequency vibrational transitions in the fluorescence excitation spectrum were assigned for 1MPY. These new assignments modify the potential parameters to the methyl torsion reported earlier. Some striking similarities exist between the torsional and vibrational transitions in the fluorescence excitation spectra of 1MPY and 1MPI. Apart from pure torsional transitions, a progression of vibration-torsion combination bands was observed for both these molecules. The excitation spectrum of 3MPY resembles the spectrum of its parent molecule, 2-pyridone. The barrier height of the methyl torsion in the excited state of 3MPY is highest amongst all these molecules, whereas the barrier in 1MPI is higher than that of 1MPY. To get an insight into the methyl torsional barrier for these molecules, results of the ab initio calculations were compared with the experimental results. It was found that the conformation of the methyl group undergoes a 60 degrees rotation in the excited state in all these molecules with respect to their ground state conformation. This phase shift of the excited state potential is attributed to the pi*-sigma* hyperconjugation between the out-of-plane hydrogen of the methyl group and the molecular frame. It has been inferred that the change in lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy plays the dominant role in the excited state barrier formation.

Photoinduced intramolecular charge-transfer reactions in 4-amino-3-methyl benzoic acid methyl ester: A fluorescence study in condensed-phase and jet-cooled molecular beams

Photoinduced intramolecular charge-transfer reactions in 4-amino-3-methyl benzoic acid methyl ester (AMBME) have been investigated spectroscopically. AMBME, with its weak charge donor primary amino group, shows dual emission in polar solvents. Absorption and emission measurements in the condensed phase support the premise that the short wavelength emission band corresponds to local emission and the long wavelength emission band to the charge transfer emission. Laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra show the presence of two low-energy conformers in jet-cooled molecular beams. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory help to determine structure, vibrational modes, potential energy surface, transition energy and oscillator strength for correlating experimental findings with theoretical results.

Laser-induced fluorescence and pure rotational spectroscopy of the CH2CHS (vinylthio) radical

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectra of the B-X (2)A(") electronic transition of the CH(2)CHS radical, which is the sulfur analog of the vinoxy (CH(2)CHO) radical, were observed under room temperature and jet-cooled conditions. The LIF excitation spectra show very poor vibronic structures, since the fluorescence quantum yields of the upper vibronic levels are too small to detect fluorescence, except for the vibrationless level in the B state. A dispersed fluorescence spectrum of jet-cooled CH(2)CHS from the vibrationless level of the B state was also observed, and vibrational frequencies in the X state were determined. Precise rotational and spin-rotation constants in the ground vibronic level of the radical were determined from pure rotational spectroscopy using a Fourier-transform microwave (FTMW) spectrometer and a FTMW-millimeter wave double-resonance technique [Y. Sumiyoshi et al., J. Chem. Phys. 123, 054324 (2005)]. The rotationally resolved LIF excitation spectrum for the vibronic origin band of the jet-cooled CH(2)CHS radical was analyzed using the ground state molecular constants determined from pure rotational spectroscopy. Determined molecular constants for the upper and lower electronic states agree well with results of ab initio calculations.

Fluorescence spectroscopy of jet-cooled chiral (±)-indan-1-ol and its cluster with (±)-methyl- and ethyl-lactate

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation, dispersed fluorescence, and IR-UV double resonance spectra of chiral (+/-)-indan-1-ol have been measured in a supersonic expansion. Three low energy conformers of the molecule have been identified, and the ground state vibrational modes of each conformer are tentatively assigned with the aid of quantum chemistry calculations. The frequencies of the nu(OH) and nu(CH) stretch modes of the two most abundant conformers have been measured by fluorescence dip IR spectroscopy and have been used for their assignment. The dispersed fluorescence spectra clearly indicate the coupling of low-frequency modes, as was seen in other substituted indanes such as 1-aminoindan and 1-amino-2-indanol. (R)- and (S)-indan-1-ol distinctly form different types of clusters with (R)- and (S)- methyl- and ethyl-lactate. Both hetero- and homochiral clusters are characterized by complex spectra which exhibit a progression built on low-frequency intermolecular modes.

Identification of new bands in the red system of CoO

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum of jet-cooled CoO molecules has been studied in the range of 540–725 nm. Beside all the parallel-polarized and perpendicular bands observed previously by Barnes and co-workers [M. Barnes, D.J. Clouthier, P.G. Hajigeorgiou, G. Huang, C.T. Kingston, A.J. Merer, G.F. Metha, J.R.D. Peers, S.J. Rixon, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 186 (1997) 374–402], 59 new bands have been recorded. Rotational constants have been derived and three new vibrational progressions identified. These three new band systems have been designated [13.99] 4Π 5/2– X 4Δ 7/2, [14.20] 4Π 5/2– X 4Δ 7/2 and [15.85] 4Π 5/2– X 4Δ 7/2. In addition, lifetime measurements have been carried out for most of the bands under collision-free conditions.

Accurate Laboratory Wavelengths of the A 1 Π(υ′ = 0–5)– X 1 Σ + (υ″ = 0) Vibronic Bands of 12 C 17 O and 12 C 18 O

Twenty nine rovibronic lines of 12C17O for which laboratory wavelengths were previously unavailable were detected in laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra of the six vibronic bands A1Π(υ' = 0-5)-X1Σ+(υ'' = 0). Rovibronic lines of 12C16O, 13 C16O, 12C17O, and 12C 18O were detected in each band, allowing accurate determination of the unknown wavelengths using neighboring 12C16O and 13C16O lines as reference. The new wavelength data yield consistent heliocentric velocity values when applied to vacuum ultraviolet observations of 12C17O and 12C 18O in the interstellar medium.

Conformation and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of phenetole in supersonic jet

Laser-induced fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra of phenetole have been measured in a cold supersonic jet expansion. The spectral features reveal the presence of only one conformer of the molecule in the environment of the jet, and the finding is consistent with the quantum chemistry predicted relative stability and conformational isomerization barriers of different isomers. The vibronic bands in the dispersed fluorescence spectra have been assigned fully with the aid of the normal mode frequencies predicted by density functional theoretical calculation. The geometry in the S 1 state has been optimized and the excited state vibrational frequencies have been calculated by CASSCF method. The theoretical results have been used to interpret the measured spectra.

Dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy of the GeCl2 ÖX̃ transition

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum of the GeCl(2) A-X transition at ultraviolet wavelengths (300-320 nm) was recorded in a direct current discharge supersonic free jet expansion. The excitation spectrum contains several sharp peaks and a congested diffuse structure. Dispersed fluorescence spectra following the excitation of these GeCl(2) ultraviolet bands were successfully acquired for the first time. The analysis of the dispersed fluorescence spectra reveals the detailed vibrational structure of the X (1)A(1) state. We have assigned the vibrational structures corresponding to different isotopomers (Ge(35)Cl(2), Ge(35)Cl(37)Cl, and Ge(37)Cl(2)). The vibrational fundamental frequencies were determined: 409 cm(-1) (symmetric stretch), 159 cm(-1) (bend), and 352 cm(-1) (antisymmetric stretch) for the X (1)A(1) state of GeCl(2). Vibrational parameters of the ground electronic state including vibrational frequencies, anharmonicity, and bend-stretch coupling constant were determined. Our dispersed fluorescence spectra also clarify the vibrational assignments of the hot bands and provide more experimental data for unraveling the nature of the congested diffuse structure at shorter wavelengths in the excitation spectrum.

Electronic and infrared spectroscopy of chiral (±)- cis-1-amino-indan-2-ol in a supersonic jet

The structure of isolated (±)- cis-1-amino-indan-2-ol in a supersonic jet has been investigated by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation, single vibronic level (SVL) emission and double resonance IR–UV spectra. Two conformers, whose S 0–S 1 transition origins are separated only by 3 cm −1, have been characterised by their dispersed emission and their IR absorption in the region of the CH, NH and OH stretch. The two observed species have been assigned with the aid of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation at the B3LYP/6-31 G** level of theory to the two lowest energy structures involving an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the OH and NH 2 groups. The ground state vibrational modes obtained from SVL emission for low frequency and IR spectra for high frequency modes have been compared with the calculated harmonic frequencies.

High resolution laser induced fluorescence excitation spectroscopy of jet-cooled terrylene

High resolution laser induced fluorescence excitation spectra upon absorption in the A 1 B 3 u ← X 1 A g band of jet-cooled terrylene have been recorded. Precise energies of three vibronic transitions are deduced. Low lying vibrations are found in both electronic states. Rotational constants in ground and excited state are determined by band contour analysis. Terrylene is a medium-size polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and a possible carrier of diffuse interstellar bands (DIB). The results of the jet experiments are discussed regarding the PAH–DIB hypothesis.

Remote Multicolor Excitation Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging

Remote laser-induced fluorescence of stone materials was performed with application towards cultural heritage. Fluorescence was induced in targets ∼60 m from a mobile lidar laboratory by ultraviolet laser light, either from a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser or from an optical parametric oscillator system. Analysis was performed on combined spectra from the different excitation wavelengths and it was noted that important additional information can be gained when using several excitation wavelengths.

Jet spectroscopy of arylmethyl radicals in the visible region: assignment of low-frequency vibrational modes in diphenylmethyl and chlorodiphenylmethyl radicals

The D(1)-D(0) transitions of diphenylmethyl (DPM) and chlorodiphenylmethyl (CDPM) radicals were studied by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy in a supersonic jet. Laser induced fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence (DF) spectra were obtained for DPM and CDPM radicals produced by ArF excimer laser (193 nm) photolyses of their chlorides. With the aid of the density functional theory (DFT) calculation, vibronic bands are assigned by comparing the observed LIF excitation spectra of the jet-cooled radicals with the single vibronic level DF spectra. Low-frequency vibrations of 55 and 53 cm(-1) in the ground and excited states, respectively, are assigned to the symmetric phenyl torsional mode of the DPM radical. The geometries of DPM in the ground and excited states are discussed with regards to observed spectra and DFT calculations. Similarly for the CDPM radical, symmetric phenyl torsional and Ph-C-Ph bending modes are assigned and the halogen-substitution effect in equilibrium geometry is discussed.

Laser-induced fluorescence and single vibronic level emission spectroscopy of chiral (R)-1-aminoindan and some of its clusters in a supersonic jet

Two low energy conformers of the chiral (R)-1-aminoindan molecule are identified in supersonic jet and their ground and excited states vibrational spectroscopy has been investigated by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation and single vibronic level (SVL) emission spectroscopy. Ab initio calculations confirm the existence of two lowest-energy structures, where the amino group is in equatorial position with its lone pair directed opposite to the aromatic electron cloud. Harmonic frequencies have been calculated for these two conformers at the DFT level with B3LYP functional. A low-frequency progression of 118 cm(-1) and 114 cm(-1), respectively, appears in the fluorescence excitation spectrum of the two conformers, with its ground state counterpart at approximately 147 cm(-1). It has been assigned to the puckering motion coupled with the ring flapping mode. The other calculated low-frequency mode corresponds to the puckering motion coupled with the ring twisting mode and its ground state frequency has been observed at 119 cm(-1) and 111 cm(-1) from SVL spectra. Both conformers form similar 1 : 1 water clusters, whose 0-0 transitions are shifted to the blue by 41 cm(-1) and 44 cm(-1), respectively, and whose SVL spectra are similar. Interestingly, one of the conformers seems to preferentially make complexes with (S)-methyllactate, while the other one shows selective complexation to (R)-methyllactate.

Kinetics of the Reaction of SH and SD with NO2

The rate constants for the reactions of NO2 with SH and SD were measured between 250 and 360 K to be 2.8 x 10(-11) exp{(270+/-40)/T(K)} and 2.6x10(-11) exp{(285+/-20)/T(K)} cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. SH(SD) radicals were generated by pulsed laser photolysis of H2S(D2S) or CH3SH and detected via pulsed laser-induced fluorescence. The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum of SH was found to be contaminated by the presence of the SO radical. This contamination is suggested as a possible reason for differences among some of the reported values of k1 in the literature. The title reaction influences the atmospheric lifetime of the SH radical when NO2 is greater than 100 pptv, but the revised value of k1 does not significantly alter our current understanding of SH oxidation in the atmosphere.

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence of atomic hydrogen in a diamond-depositing dc arcjet

Atomic hydrogen in the plume of a dc-arcjet plasma is monitored by use of two-photon excited laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) during the deposition of diamond film. The effluent of a dc-arc discharge in hydrogen and argon forms a luminous plume as it flows through a converging-diverging nozzle into a reactor. When a trace of methane (< 2%) is added to the flow in the diverging part of the nozzle, diamond thin film grows on a water-cooled molybdenum substrate from the reactive mixture. LIF of atomic hydrogen in the arcjet plume is excited to the 3S and 3D levels with two photons near 205 nm, and the subsequent fluorescence is observed at Balmer-alpha near 656 nm. Spatially resolved LIF measurements of atomic hydrogen are made as a function of the ratio of hydrogen to argon feedstock gas, methane addition, and reactor pressure. At lower reactor pressures, time-resolved LIF measurements are used to verify our collisional quenching correction algorithm. The quenching rate coefficients for collisions with the major species in the arcjet (Ar, H, and H2) do not change with gas temperature variations in the plume (T < 2300 K). Corrections of the LIF intensity measurements for the spatial variation of collisional quenching are important to determine relative distributions of the atomic hydrogen concentration. The relative atomic hydrogen concentrations measured here are calibrated with an earlier calorimetric determination of the feedstock hydrogen dissociation to provide quantitative hydrogen-atom concentration distributions.

Identification of isomeric dimers of o-fluorobenzoic acid using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Three conformational isomers of o-fluorobenzoic acid dimer have been identified in a supersonic jet expansion by use of laser-induced fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy. Using a mixed dimer of o-fluorobenzoic acid with benzoic acid, we have provided further evidence that the three isomers in the previous case originate due to two distinct internal rotational isomeric forms of each of the dimer moiety. Relative stability and geometries of all the dimers are computed by use of DFT theoretical method. The resolved fluorescence spectra of the three isomeric homodimers have been tentatively assigned by correlating the observed frequencies with the normal mode frequencies of the isomers predicted by DFT calculation.

Physiochemical properties of various polymer substrates and their effects on microchip electrophoresis performance

A suite of polymers were evaluated for their suitability as viable substrate materials for microchip electrophoresis applications, which were fabricated via replication technology. The relevant physiochemical properties investigated included the glass transition temperature ( T g), UV–vis absorption properties, autofluorescence levels, electroosmotic flow (EOF) and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity as determined by sessile water contact angle measurements. These physiochemical properties were used as a guide to select the proper substrate material for the intended microchip electrophoretic application. The T g of these polymers provided a guide for optimizing embossing parameters to minimize replication errors (REs), which were evaluated from surface profilometer traces. RE values ranged from 0.4 to 13.6% for the polymers polycarbonate (PC) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), respectively. The absorption spectra and autofluorescence levels of the polymers were also measured at several different wavelengths. In terms of optical clarity (low absorption losses and small autofluorescence levels), poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA (clear acrylic), provided ideal characteristics with autofluorescence levels comparable to glass at excitation wavelengths that ranged from 488–780 nm. Contact angle measurements showed a maximum (i.e., high degree of hydrophobicity) for polypropylene (PP), with an average contact angle of 104° ± 3° and a minimum exhibited by gray acrylic, G-PMMA, with an average contact angle of 27° ± 2°. The EOF was also measured for thermally assembled chips both before and after treatment with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The electrophoretic separation of a mixture of dye-labeled proteins including; carbonic anhydrase, phosphorylase B, β-galactosidase, and myosin, was performed on four different polymer microchips using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation at 632.8 nm. A maximum average resolution of 5.04 for several peak pairs was found with an efficiency of 6.68 × 10 4 plates for myosin obtained using a BSA-treated PETG microchip.