Spectra Of Ammonia Research Articles

Infrared transmission spectra of hot ammonia in the 4800–9000 cm−1 region

Line lists of ammonia (NH3) are presented at elevated temperatures (293–900 K at 100 K intervals) for the 4800–9000 cm−1 region at pressures of 10 Torr and 100 Torr. This region includes a number of overtone, combination and related hot bands. The line lists were obtained by Fourier transform transmission spectroscopy and include calibrated line positions and intensities as well as estimates of empirical lower state energies by comparison of line intensities at different temperatures. These line lists are relevant to the study of the atmospheres of exoplanets and brown dwarfs.

Revisiting the photoabsorption spectrum of NH3 in the 5.4-10.8 eV energy region.

We present a comprehensive revisited experimental high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoabsorption spectrum of ammonia, NH3, covering for the first time the full 5.4-10.8 eV energy-range, with absolute cross sections determined. The calculations on the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths were performed using the equation-of-motion coupled cluster method restricted to single and double excitation levels and used to help reanalyze the observed Rydberg structures in the photoabsorption spectrum. The VUV spectrum reveals several new features that are not previously reported in the literature, with particular reference to the vibrational progressions of the (D̃1E'←X̃1A1 '), the (F̃1E'←X̃1A1 '), and the (G̃1A2 ″←X̃1A1 ') absorption bands. In addition, new Rydberg members have been identified in nda1 '←1a2 ″D̃''1A2 ″←X̃1A1 ', where n > 3 has not been reported before as well as in nde″←1a2 ″F̃1E'←X̃1A1 ' and in nsa1 '←1a2 ″G̃1A2 ″←X̃1A1 '. The measured absolute photoabsorption cross sections have been used to calculate the photolysis lifetime of ammonia in the Earth's atmosphere (0-50 km).

The frequency-domain infrared spectrum of ammonia encodes changes in molecular dynamics caused by a DC electric field

Ammonia is special. It is nonplanar, yet in v = 1 of the umbrella mode (ν2) its inversion motion is faster than J = 0↔1 rotation. Does the simplicity of the Chemist's concept of an electric dipole moment survive the competition between rotation, inversion, and a strong external electric field? NH3 is a favorite pedagogical example of tunneling in a symmetric double-minimum potential. Tunneling is a dynamical concept, yet the quantitative characteristics of tunneling are expressed in a static, eigenstate-resolved spectrum. The inverting-umbrella tunneling motion in ammonia is both large amplitude and profoundly affected by an external electric field. We report how a uniquely strong (up to 108 V/m) direct current (DC) electric field causes a richly detailed sequence of reversible changes in the frequency-domain infrared spectrum (the v = 0→1 transition in the ν2 umbrella mode) of ammonia, freely rotating in a 10 K Ar matrix. Although the spectrum is static, encoded in it is the complete inter- and intramolecular picture of tunneling dynamics.

Single-Hessian thawed Gaussian approximation.

To alleviate the computational cost associated with on-the-fly ab initio semiclassical calculations of molecular spectra, we propose the single-Hessian thawed Gaussian approximation in which the Hessian of the potential energy at all points along an anharmonic classical trajectory is approximated by a constant matrix. The spectra obtained with this approximation are compared with the exact quantum spectra of a one-dimensional Morse potential and with the experimental spectra of ammonia and quinquethiophene. In all cases, the single-Hessian version performs almost as well as the much more expensive on-the-fly ab initio thawed Gaussian approximation and significantly better than the global harmonic schemes. Remarkably, unlike the thawed Gaussian approximation, the proposed method conserves energy exactly, despite the time dependence of the corresponding effective Hamiltonian, and, in addition, can be mapped to a higher-dimensional time-independent classical Hamiltonian system. We also provide a detailed comparison with several related approximations used for accelerating prefactor calculations in semiclassical simulations.

Valence and Core-Level X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of a Liquid Ammonia Microjet.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of microjets expanded into vacuum allows access to orbital energies for solute or solvent molecules in the liquid phase. Microjets of water, acetonitrile and alcohols have previously been studied; however, it has been unclear whether jets of low temperature molecular solvents could be realized. Here we demonstrate a stable 20 μm jet of liquid ammonia (−60 °C) in a vacuum, which we use to record both valence and core-level band photoelectron spectra using soft X-ray synchrotron radiation. Significant shifts from isolated ammonia in the gas-phase are observed, as is the liquid-phase photoelectron angular anisotropy. Comparisons with spectra of ammonia in clusters and the solid phase, as well as spectra for water in various phases potentially reveal how hydrogen bonding is reflected in the condensed phase electronic structure.

Extended measurements and an experimental accuracy effective Hamiltonian model for the 3ν2 and ν4+ν2 states of ammonia

The infrared spectrum of ammonia has proven to be highly problematic for effective Hamiltonian analysis. The most complete previous study of the 3ν2 and ν4+ν2 bands achieved the accuracy of 0.0069 cm−1 as reflected by the root-mean-square error of their fit, which is slightly more than 10 times the experimental accuracy. In the present study, we performed a global fit of the existing 2141 literature data involving 3ν2, ν4+ν2, 3ν2-ν2, (ν4+ν2)-ν2 together with 1281 new data involving 3ν2-2ν2, 3ν2-3ν2 and (ν4+ν2)-(ν4+ν2) using an effective Hamiltonian together with the Pickett suite of program SPFIT/SPCAT. The new dataset consists of three spectra recorded at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. The effective Hamiltonian model proposed for 3ν2/ν4+ν2 has achieved experimental accuracy. This success combined with our previous success of the 2ν2/ν4 analysis leads us to believe that the vibrational states higher than 3ν2/ν2+ν4 may be analyzed with effective Hamiltonians as well.

Line positions and intensities in the 7400–8600 cm−1 region of the ammonia spectrum

ABSTRACTThe positions and intensities of 1936 lines observed in the range 7400– of two absorption spectra of ammonia recorded at high resolution using Fourier transform spectroscopy are reported. The accuracy of these line positions is estimated to range from 0.001 to from the lower to the upper limits of the spectral range considered, while the accuracy of the line intensities is estimated to be around 10% or better. Also reported are less-accurately measured positions and intensities of 1985 lines retrieved from these two spectra or from only one of them. These results are compared with the data measured recently in a spectrum recorded in 1980 at the Kitt Peak National Solar Observatory [Barton et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc. 325, 7 (2016)] and provided in HITRAN 2016, as well as line positions and intensities measured in this work in the same Kitt Peak spectrum.

Analysis of the red and green optical absorption spectrum of gas phase ammonia

Room temperature NH3 absorption spectra recorded at the Kitt Peak National Solar Observatory in 1980 are analyzed. The spectra cover two regions in the visible: 15,200 – 15,700 cm−1 and 17,950 – 18,250 cm−1. These high overtone rotation-vibration spectra are analyzed using both combination differences and variational line lists. Two variational line lists were computed using the TROVE nuclear motion program: one is based on an ab initio potential energy surface (PES) while the other used a semi-empirical PES. Ab initio dipole moment surfaces are used in both cases. 95 energy levels with J=1−7 are determined from analysis of the experimental spectrum in the 5νNH (red) region and 46 for 6νNH (green) region. These levels span four vibrational bands in each of the two regions, associated with stretching overtones.

High-resolution spectral analysis of ammonia near 6.2 μm using a cw EC-QCL coupled with cavity ring-down spectroscopy

We report on the development of a mid-infrared cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS) coupled with a continuous wave (cw) external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL), operating between 6.0 μm and 6.3 μm, for high-resolution spectroscopic studies of ammonia (NH3) which served as a bench-mark molecule in this spectral region. We characterized the EC-QCL based CRDS system in detail and achieved a noise-equivalent absorption (NEA) coefficient of 2.11 × 10-9 cm-1 Hz-1/2 for a 100 Hz data acquisition rate. We thereafter exploited the system for high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of interference-free 10 transition lines of the ν4 fundamental vibrational band of NH3 centred at ∼6.2 μm. We probed the strongest interference-free absorption line RQ(4,3) of ν4, centred at 1613.370 cm-1 for highly-sensitive trace detection of NH3 and subsequently achieved a minimum detection sensitivity (1σ) of 2.78 × 109 molecules per cm3 which translated into the detection limit of 740 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv/10-12) at a pressure of 115 Torr for an integration time of ∼167 seconds. To demonstrate the efficacy of the present system in real-life applications, we finally measured the mixing ratios of NH3 present in ambient air and human exhaled breath with high sensitivity and molecular specificity.

Communication: General variational approach to nuclear-quadrupole coupling in rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules.

A general algorithm for computing the quadrupole-hyperfine effects in the rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules is presented for the case of ammonia (NH3). The method extends the general variational approach TROVE [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 245, 126-140 (2007)] by adding the extra term in the Hamiltonian that describes the nuclear quadrupole coupling, with no inherent limitation on the number of quadrupolar nuclei in a molecule. We applied the new approach to compute the nitrogen-nuclear-quadrupole hyperfine structure in the rovibrational spectrum of NH314. These results agree very well with recent experimental spectroscopic data for the pure rotational transitions in the ground vibrational and ν2 states and the rovibrational transitions in the ν1, ν3, 2ν4, and ν1 + ν3 bands. The computed hyperfine-resolved rovibrational spectrum of ammonia will be beneficial for the assignment of experimental rovibrational spectra, further detection of ammonia in interstellar space, and studies of the proton-to-electron mass variation.

Simulation of Vibronic Spectra of Flexible Systems: Hybrid DVR-Harmonic Approaches.

Our general framework for the simulation of vibrational signatures in electronic spectra has been extended to treat one large-amplitude motion (LAM) at the anharmonic level, coupled to the other small-amplitude motions (SAM) treated as harmonic. The coupling between LAM and SAM is minimized thanks to the use of delocalized internal coordinates, which are built automatically from the molecular topology. General LAMs can be employed, ranging from intrinsic reaction coordinates to rigid or flexible paths based on the distinguished coordinate approach. The anharmonic model is based on a fully numerical method based on the discrete variable representation (DVR) theory, supporting different types of boundary conditions. The inclusion of this model in a general-purpose electronic structure code makes available to the user a large panel of quantum chemistry models, for both isolated and condensed phases. The flexibility and reliability of the new framework are illustrated by some case studies, covering various types of LAMs, ranging from a small test case, the photoelectron spectrum of ammonia, to larger systems, such as phenylanthracene and cyclobutanone.

Broadening and collisional interference of lines in the IR spectra of ammonia: Self-broadening in the ν1 band

Broadening and collisional interference of lines in the IR spectra of ammonia: Self-broadening in the ν1 band

Mid-infrared multiheterodyne spectroscopy with phase-locked quantum cascade lasers

Fabry-Pérot (FP) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) provide purely electronically controlled monolithic sources for broadband mid-infrared (mid-IR) multiheterodyne spectroscopy (MHS), which benefits from the large gain bandwidth of the QCLs without sacrificing the narrowband properties commonly associated with the single mode distributed feedback variant. We demonstrate a FP-QCL based multiheterodyne spectrometer with a short-term noise-equivalent absorption of ∼3 × 10−4/Hz, a mid-IR spectral coverage of 25 cm−1, and very short acquisition time (10 μs) capability. The broadband potential is demonstrated by measuring the absorption spectra of ammonia and isobutane under atmospheric pressure conditions. The stability of the system is enhanced by a two-stage active frequency inter-locking procedure, where the two QCLs are pre-locked with a slow feedback loop based on an analog frequency discriminator, followed by a high bandwidth optical phase-locked loop. The locking system provides a relative frequency stability in the sub kHz range over seconds of integration time. The strength of the technique lies in the ability to acquire spectral information from all optical modes simultaneously and individually, which bodes for a versatile and cost effective spectrometer for mid-IR chemical gas sensing.

Absorption spectra of ammonia near 1 μm

An ammonia absorption spectrum recorded at room temperature in the region 8800–10,400cm−1 is analysed using a variational line list, BYTe, and ground state energies determined using the MARVEL procedure. BYTe is used as a starting point to initialise assignments by combination differences and the method of branches. Assignments are presented for the region 9400–9850cm−1. 642 lines are assigned to 6 previously unobserved vibrational bands, (2v1+2v42)±, (2v1+v31)± and (v1+v31+2v42)±, leading to 428 new energy levels with 208 confirmed by combination differences. A recently calculated purely ab initio NH3 PES is also used to calculate rovibrational energy levels. Comparison with assigned levels shows better agreement between observed and calculated levels than for BYTe for higher vibrational bands.

Infrared absorption spectra of hot ammonia

Infrared absorption spectra of NH3 have been obtained at high resolution (0.02cm−1) at seven temperatures between 296 and 973K. The spectra were recorded using a Bruker IFS 125 infrared Fourier transform spectrometer in the 2400–5500cm−1 region and empirical lower state energies have been obtained by comparison of line strengths at different temperatures. Using two reference line lists, quantum number assignments have been made for each temperature for between 1660 and 3020 transitions, with J up to 22. The line lists obtained provide accurate line positions as well as intensities and experimental lower state energies at temperatures relevant for modeling the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and exoplanets.

Giant many-body effects in liquid ammonia absorption spectrum.

In the present work, we accurately calculate the absorption spectrum of liquid ammonia up to 13 eV using many-body perturbation approach. The electronic bandgap of liquid NH3 is perfectly described as the combination of density functional theory, Coulomb-hole screened exchange, and G0W0 approximation to the electronic self-energy, yielding a direct gap (Γ → Γ) of 7.71 eV, fully consistent with the experimentally measured gap from photo-emission spectroscopy. With respect to the NH3 optical properties, the entire spectrum in particular the low lying first absorption band is extremely affected by electron-hole interactions, leading to a fundamental redistribution of spectral weights of the independent-particle spectrum. Three well separated but broad main peaks are identified at 7.0, 9.8, and 11.8 eV with steadily increasing intensities in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, we observe a giant net blue-shift of the first absorption peak of about 1.4 eV from gaseous to liquid phase as the direct consequence of many-body effects, allowing the associated liquid ammonia absorption band exciton to delocalize and feel more effectively the repulsion effects imposed by the surrounding solvent shells. Further, the spectrum is insensitive to the coupling of resonant and anti-resonant contributions. Concerning electronic response structure of liquid NH3, it is most sensitive to excitations at energies lower than its electronic gap.

Modeling the spectrum of the 2ν2 and ν4 states of ammonia to experimental accuracy.

The vibrational spectrum of ammonia has received an enormous amount of attention due to its potential prevalence in hot exo-planet atmospheres and persistent challenges in assigning and modeling highly excited and often highly perturbed states. Effective Hamiltonian models face challenges due to strong coupling between the large amplitude inversion and the other small amplitude vibrations. To date, only the ground and ν2 positions could be modeled to experimental accuracy using effective Hamiltonians. Several previous attempts to analyze the 2ν2 and ν4 energy levels failed to model both the microwave and infrared transitions to experimental accuracy. In this work, we performed extensive experimental measurements and data analysis for the 2ν2 and ν4 inversion-rotation and vibrational transitions. We measured 159 new transition frequencies with microwave precision and assigned 1680 new ones from existing Fourier transform spectra recorded in Synchrotron SOLEIL. The newly assigned data significantly expand the range of assigned quantum numbers; combined with all the previously published high-resolution data, the 2ν2 and ν4 states are reproduced to experimental accuracy using a global model described here. Achieving experimental accuracy required inclusion of a number of terms in the effective Hamiltonian that were neglected in previous work. These terms have also been neglected in the analysis of states higher than 2ν2 and ν4 suggesting that the inversion-rotation-vibration spectrum of ammonia may be far more tractable to effective Hamiltonians than previously believed.

Broadening and collisional interference of lines in the IR spectra of ammonia. Theory

The general theory of relaxation spectral shape parameters in the impact approximation (M. R. Cherkasov, J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 141, 73 (2014)) is adapted to the case of line broadening of infrared spectra of ammonia. Specific features of line broadening of parallel and perpendicular bands are discussed. It is shown that in both cases the spectrum consists of independently broadened singlets and doublets; however, the components of doublets can be affected by collisional interference. The paper is the first part of a cycle of studies devoted to the problems of spectral line broadening of ammonia.

Broadening and collisional interference of lines in the ir spectra of ammonia: Self-broadening in the ν2 band

The relaxation parameters of the lines of the P, Q, and R branches of the ν1 ammonia ν1 band are calculated in the case of self-broadening. In the case of doublets, the effects of collisional interference of the doublet components have been taken into account. It is shown that the cross-relaxation parameters of the components can reach ~60% of the values of the self-broadening coefficients, which gives rise to the narrowing of the components and indicates that the isolated line approximation is inapplicable. Comparison with experimental data is made. Good agreement for self-broadening coefficients is obtained. In the case of the self-shift coefficients, discrepancies are considerable in both magnitude and sign, and it is impossible to elucidate their reasons without invoking additional experimental data.

Raman spectra and cross sections of ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, phosgene, and sulfur dioxide toxic gases in the fingerprint region 400-1400 cm−1

Raman spectra of ammonia (NH3), chlorine (Cl2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), phosgene (COCl2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) toxic gases have been measured in the fingerprint region 400-1400 cm−1. A relatively compact (<2′x2′x2′), sensitive, 532 nm 10 W CW Raman system with double-pass laser and double-sided collection was used for these measurements. Two Raman modes are observed at 934 and 967 cm−1 in NH3. Three Raman modes are observed in Cl2 at 554, 547, and 539 cm−1, which are due to the 35/35 35/37, and 37/37 Cl isotopes, respectively. Raman modes are observed at 870, 570, and 1151 cm−1 in H2S, COCl2, and SO2, respectively. Values of 3.68 ± 0.26x10−32 cm2/sr (3.68 ± 0.26x10−36 m2/sr), 1.37 ± 0.10x10−30 cm2/sr (1.37 ± 0.10x10−34 m2/sr), 3.25 ± 0.23x10−31 cm2/sr (3.25 ± 0.23x10−35 m2/sr), 1.63 ± 0.14x10−30 cm2/sr (1.63 ± 0.14x10−34 m2/sr), and 3.08 ± 0.22x10−30 cm2/sr (and 3.08 ± 0.22x10−34 m2/sr) were determined for the differential Raman cross section of the 967 cm−1 mode of NH3, sum of the 554, 547, and 539 cm−1 modes of Cl2, 870 cm−1 mode of H2S, 570 cm−1 mode of COCl2, and 1151 cm-1 mode of SO2, respectively, using the differential Raman cross section of 3.56 ± 0.14x10−31 cm2/sr (3.56 ± 0.14x10−35 m2/sr) for the 1285 cm−1 mode of CO2 as the reference.