Time-dependent Quantum Mechanical Calculations Research Articles

Ultrafast Excited-State Proton Transfer in 4-Nitrocatechol: Implications for the Photochemistry of Nitrophenols.

Nitrophenols are a class of environmental contaminants that exhibit strong absorption at atmospherically relevant wavelengths, prompting many studies of their photochemical degradation rates and mechanisms. Despite the importance of photochemical reactions of nitrophenols in the environment, the ultrafast processes in electronically excited nitrophenols are not well understood. Here, we present an experimental study of ultrafast electron dynamics in 4-nitrocatechol (4NC), a common product of biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. The experiments are accompanied by time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations to help assign the observed transitions in static and transient absorption spectra and to estimate the rates of singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing. Our results suggest that electronic triplet states are not efficiently populated upon 340 nm excitation, as efficient proton transfer occurs in the excited state on a time scale of a few picoseconds in water and tens of picoseconds in 2-propanol. This suggests that triplet states do not play a significant role in the photochemical reactions of 4NC in the environment and, by extension, in nitrophenols in general. Instead, consideration should be given to the idea that this class of molecules may serve as strong photoacids.

Electronic spectroscopy of carbon chains (C2n+1, n = 7–10) of astrophysical importance. II. Quantum dynamics

In continuation with Paper I [S. R. Reddy et al., J. Chem. Phys. 151, 054303 (2019)], the vibronic structure and dynamics of the 1Σu+ electronic state of C15, C17, C19, and C21 chains in the coupled manifold of 1Σu+–1Πg–1Πu– 1Σg+ electronic states have been investigated in this paper. The model vibronic Hamiltonian developed through extensive ab initio quantum chemistry calculations in Paper I is employed, and first principles nuclear dynamics calculations are carried out to obtain the photoabsorption band of the 1Σu+ electronic state. Both time-independent and time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations are carried out to precisely locate the vibrational levels, assign them with the progression of vibrational modes, and elucidate the impact of both Renner-Teller and pseudo-Renner-Teller couplings on them. The nonradiative decay of the 1Σu+ electronic state is studied, and it is found that the decay rate is comparable with the prediction made for them to be qualified as a carrier of diffuse interstellar bands in the literature. The theoretical results are found to be in good accord with the available experimental results.

The role of the shape resonance state in low energy electron induced single strand break in 2'-deoxycytidine-5'-monophosphate.

Low energy electron (LEE) induced single strand break (SSB) has been studied for 2'-deoxycytidine-5'-monophosphate (5'-dCMPH) molecules in the gas phase by means of ab initio electronic structure methods and local complex potential based time-dependent wavepacket quantum mechanical calculations. We have found that the LEE attachment to this cytidine nucleotide results in the formation of a transient metastable anion. The results obtained here show that the electron attachment takes place at the cytosine nucleobase center and within 18-20 fs, the LEE transfers to the σ* orbital of the sugar-phosphate 5' C-O bond. The characteristic electron attachment cross section spectrum is found at ∼1 eV, which is in good agreement with the available experimental observations. Quantum mechanical tunneling of the 5' C-O bound vibrational energy levels may contribute to SSB only above 1.5 eV energy regimes.

Low energy electron induced cytosine base release in 2'-deoxycytidine-3'-monophosphate via glycosidic bond cleavage: a time-dependent wavepacket study.

Low energy electron (LEE) induced cytosine base release in a selected pyrimidine nucleotide, viz., 2'-deoxycytidine-3'-monophosphate is investigated using ab initio electronic structure methods and time dependent quantum mechanical calculations. It has been noted that the cytosine base scission is comparatively difficult process than the 3' C-O bond cleavage from the lowest π* shape resonance in energy region <1 eV. This is mainly due to the high activation energy barrier associated with the electron transfer from the π* orbital of the base to the σ* orbital of the glycosidic N-C bond. In addition, the metastable state formed after impinging LEE (0-1 eV) has very short lifetime (10 fs) which may decay in either of the two competing auto-detachment or dissociation process simultaneously. On the other hand, the selected N-C mode may cleave to form the cytosine base anion at higher energy regions (>2 eV) via tunneling of the glycosidic bond. Resonance states generated within this energy regime will exist for a duration of ~35-55 fs. Comparison of salient features of the two dissociation events, i.e., 3' C-O single strand break and glycosidic N-C bond cleavage in 3'-dCMPH molecule are also provided.

Quantum dynamics on S(1D) + H2 reaction: effect of orientation and rotation

Time-dependent quantum mechanical wave packet calculations have been carried out to study the effect of orientation and rotation of the hydrogen molecule on the reaction S (1D) + H2(X1 Σ + )(v = 0, j = 0–3) → SH(X2 Π) + H(2S) using the double many-body expansion (DMBE)/complete basis set (CBS) potential energy surface (PES) by Song and Varandas [J. Chem. Phys. 130, 134317 (2009)]. Reaction probability and integral cross section values were calculated over a range of collision energy values. The cross section values are compared with the experimental values as well as with the other quantum mechanical results. Our calculation shows that reaction probability values strongly depend on the orientation and rotation of the hydrogen molecule. It was also found that rotational excitation of H2 molecule significantly enhances integral reaction cross section values contrary to earlier reported quasi-classical trajectory calculation results.

Disagreement between theory and experiment grows with increasing rotational excitation of HD(v′, j ′) product for the H + D2 reaction

The Photoloc technique has been employed to measure the state-resolved differential cross sections of the HD(v', j(')) product in the reaction H + D2 over a wide range of collision energies and internal states. The experimental results were compared with fully dimensional, time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations on the refined Boothroyd-Keogh-Martin-Peterson potential energy surface. We find nearly perfect agreement between theory and experiment for HD(v', j(')) product states with low to medium rotational excitation, e.g., HD(v' = 1, j(') = 3) at a collision energy, Ecoll, of 1.72 eV, HD(v' = 1, j(') = 3, 5) at Ecoll = 1.97 eV, and HD(v' = 3, j(') = 3) at Ecoll = 1.97 eV. As the rotational angular momentum, j('), of HD(v', j(')) increases, the agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements worsens but not in a simple fashion. A moderate disagreement between theory and experiment has been found for HD(v' = 0, j(') = 12) at Ecoll = 1.76 eV and increased monotonically for HD(v' = 0, j(') = 13) at Ecoll = 1.74 eV, HD(v' = 0, j(') = 14) at Ecoll = 1.72 eV, and HD(v' = 0, j(') = 15) at Ecoll = 1.70 eV. Disagreement was not limited to vibrationless HD(v', j(')) product states: HD(v' = 1, j(') = 12) at Ecoll = 1.60 eV and HD(v' = 3, j(') = 8, 10) at Ecoll = 1.97 eV followed a similar trend. Theoretical calculations suggest more sideways∕forward scattering than has been observed experimentally for high j(') HD(v', j(')) states. The source of this discrepancy is presently unknown but might be the result of inaccuracy in the potential energy surface.

Differential cross section for the H+D2→HD(v′=1,j′=2,6,10)+D reaction as a function of collision energy

We have measured differential cross sections (DCSs) for the HD (v(')=1,j(')=2,6,10) products of the H+D(2) exchange reaction at five different collision energies in the range 1.48< or =E(coll)< or =1.94 eV. The contribution from the less energetic H atoms formed upon spin-orbit excitation of Br in the photolysis of the HBr precursor is taken into account for two collision energies, E(coll)=1.84 and 1.94 eV, allowing us to disentangle the two different channels. The measured DCSs agree well with new time-dependent quantum-mechanical calculations. As the product rotational excitation increases, the DCSs shift from backward to sideward scattering, as expected. We also find that the shapes of the DCSs show only a small overall dependence on the collision energy, with a notable exception occurring for HD (v(')=1,j(')=2), which appears bimodal at high collision energies. We suggest that this feature results from both direct recoil and indirect scattering from the conical intersection.

Photodissociation of HBr. 1. Electronic Structure, Photodissociation Dynamics, and Vector Correlation Coefficients

Ab initio potential energy curves, transition dipole moments, and spin-orbit coupling matrix elements are computed for HBr. These are then used, within the framework of time-dependent quantum-mechanical wave-packet calculations, to study the photodissociation dynamics of the molecule. Total and partial integral cross sections, the branching fraction for the formation of excited-state bromine atoms Br(2P(1/2)), and the lowest order anisotropy parameters, beta, for both ground and excited-state bromine are calculated as a function of photolysis energy and compared to experimental and theoretical data determined previously. Higher order anisotropy parameters are computed for the first time for HBr and compared to recent experimental measurements. A new expression for the Re[a1(3) (parallel, perpendicular)] parameter describing coherent parallel and perpendicular production of ground-state bromine in terms of the dynamical functions is given. Although good agreement is obtained between the theoretical predictions and the experimental measurements, the discrepancies are analyzed to establish how improvements might be achieved. Insight is obtained into the nonadiabatic dynamics by comparing the results of diabatic and fully adiabatic calculations.

Collision-energy dependence of HD(ν′=1,j′) product rotational distributions for the H+D2 reaction

Product rotational distributions for the reaction H + D2 --> HD(nu'=1,j') + D have been measured for 16 collision energies in the range of 1.43 < or = E(coll) < or = 2.55 eV. Time-dependent quantum-mechanical calculations agree well in general with the experimental results, but they consistently yield slightly colder distributions. In terms of the average energy channeled into rotation, the differences between experiment and theory amount to approximately 10% for all collision energies sampled. No peculiarity is found for E(coll)=2.55 eV at which the system has sufficient energy to access the first HD2 electronically excited state.

Dynamics of (H−,H2) collisions: A time-dependent quantum mechanical investigation on a new ab initio potential energy surface

A global analytical potential energy surface for the ground state of H(3)(-) has been constructed by fitting an analytic function to the ab initio potential energy values computed using coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] method and Dunning's augmented correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta basis set. Using this potential energy surface, time-dependent quantum mechanical wave packet calculations were carried out to calculate the reaction probabilities (P(R)) for the exchange reaction H(-)+H(2)(v, j)-->H(2)+H(-), for different initial vibrational (v) and rotational (j) states of H(2), for total angular momentum equal to zero. With increase in v, the number of oscillations in the P(R)(E) plot increases and the oscillations become more pronounced. While P(R) increases with increase in rotational excitation from j=0 to 1, it decreases with further increase in j to 2 over a wide range of energies. In addition, rotational excitation quenches the oscillations in P(R)(E) plots.

Classical aspects of ultracold atom wave packet motion through microstructured waveguide bends

The properties of low-density, low-energy matter wave packets propagating through waveguide bends are investigated. Time-dependent quantum-mechanical calculations using simple harmonic oscillator confining potentials are performed for a range of parameters close to those accessible by recent 'atom chip'-based experiments. We compare classical calculations based on Ehrenfest's theorem to these results to determine whether classical mechanics can predict the amount of transverse excitation as measured by the transverse heating. The present results thus elucidate some of the limits for which matter wave propagation through microstructures can be reliably considered using classical particle motion.

Disagreement between theory and experiment in the simplest chemical reaction: collision energy dependent rotational distributions for H + D2 --> HD(nu' = 3,j') + D.

We present experimental rotational distributions for the reaction H + D2 --> HD(nu' = 3,j') + D at eight different collision energies between 1.49 and 1.85 eV. We combine a previous measurement of the state-resolved excitation function for this reaction [Ayers et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 4662 (2003)] with the current data to produce a map of the relative reactive cross section as a function of both collision energy and rotational quantum number (an E-j' plot). To compare with the experimental data, we also present E-j' plots resulting from both time-dependent and time-independent quantum mechanical calculations carried out on the BKMP2 surface. The two calculations agree well with each other, but they produce rotational distributions significantly colder than the experiment, with the difference being more pronounced at higher collision energies. Disagreement between theory and experiment might be regarded as surprising considering the simplicity of this system; potential causes of this discrepancy are discussed.

Rotational and alignment effects in a multisurface wavepacket calculation for the Cl + H2reaction

Time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations have been carried out for a total angular momentum J = 0 to determine the distribution among product rovibrational states for the reaction Cl + H2 using product Jacobi coordinates, and including nonadiabatic and spin–orbit couplings between three different potential energy surfaces. Calculations have been performed for the ground vibrational state of H2 (v = 0) and its rotational states j = 0–3, and the Cl atom is assumed to be in an electronic Σ state (the lone electron along the direction of approach). Moreover, calculations for the negative parity block of the J = 1, j = 1, K = 1 state have been carried out to get a picture of the geometry of approach dependence of reactivity.

Wave Packet Calculation of Cross Sections, Product State Distributions, and Branching Ratios for the O(1D) + HCl Reaction

Time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations have been carried out to estimate the total reactive cross sections, product branching ratios, and product quantum state distributions for the O({sup 1}D) + HCl reaction using both reactant and product Jacobi coordinates. The potential energy surface of T. Martinez et al. (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2000, 2, 589) has been used in the calculations. The theoretical predictions are compared with experimental results and with the results of classical trajectory calculations on the same surface. The comparisons demonstrate the suitability of the potential energy surface and provide useful insights into the reaction mechanism. The calculations using product Jacobi coordinates are the first calculations for this system which permit the prediction of state-to-state reaction probabilities and of product quantum state distributions.

Time-Dependent Quantum Mechanical Calculations on the Formation of Molecular Hydrogen on a Graphite Surface via an Eley−Rideal Mechanism

The associative desorption of H2 (ν,j) on a graphite(0001) surface via an Eley−Rideal mechanism has been studied theoretically. In our calculations we used a time-dependent wave packet method treating three degrees of freedom quantum mechanically. A newly developed potential energy surface based on plane-wave density functional calculations was employed. In our 3D calculations we find less vibrational excitation for the product H2 molecules than in calculations that used only two degrees of freedom. However, the product H2 molecules are formed rotationally excited. This could have important implications for the chemistry of H2 in the interstellar medium and the interpretation of astronomical data.

Time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations on H + O2 for total angular momentum J &gt; 0: Comparing different dynamical approximations

The H + O2 → OH + O reaction has been studied with a time-dependent wave packet method for total angular momentum J>0 using three different approximations: the J-shifting approximation, the helicity conserving approximation, and the truncated basis approximation. Both reaction probabilities and reaction cross sections are calculated and compared to recent rigorous close coupling calculations (E. M. Goldfield and A. J. H. M. Meijer, J. Chem. Phys., 2000, 113, 11055). Our results show significant deviations from the close coupling reaction probabilities for all approximations studied. As a result the approximate cross sections do not agree very well with the close coupling cross sections. We also compare our results to an approximate J-shifting type method due to Varandas (A. J. C. Varandas, Mol. Phys., 1995, 85, 1159). Our comparisons show the deficiencies of the different approximate methods for this reaction and emphasize the need to perform rigorous calculations.

Three dimensional alignment of molecules using elliptically polarized laser fields

We demonstrate, theoretically and experimentally, that an intense, elliptically polarized, nonresonant laser field can simultaneously force all three axes of a molecule to align along given axes fixed in space, thus inhibiting the free rotation in all three Euler angles. Theoretically, the effect is illustrated through time dependent quantum mechanical calculations. Experimentally, 3, 4-dibromothiophene molecules are aligned with a nanosecond laser pulse. The alignment is probed by 2D ion imaging of the fragments from a 20 fs laser pulse induced Coulomb explosion.

Comment on “Reaction cross sections for the H+D2 (v=0,1) system for collision energies up to 2.5 eV: A multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree wave-packet propagation study” [J. Chem. Phys. 110, 241 (1999)

Exact quantum mechanical (QM) scattering calculations for the H+D2 (v=0, j=0−2) reaction at 0.54 eV collision energy on the LSTH potential energy surface show that the reactivity increases with increasing initial j, in agreement with previous quasiclassical trajectory data, and in contrast with the time-dependent QM calculations by Jäckle et al. using the coupled states approximation.

Competition of different ionization pathways in K2 studied by ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy: A comparison between theory and experiment

We present a comparison of experiment and theory of ultrafast one-color pump–probe multiphoton ionization spectrocopy of K2. The wave packet propagation in the A 1Σu+ state and in the (2) 1Πg Rydberg state is monitored in detail by changing systematically the pump and probe wavelength from 779 nm to 837 nm. The measured total ionization rates as a function of the delay time between pump and probe are shown to depend sensitively on the pump and probe wavelengths used and exhibit drastic changes and a variety of fascinating structures as the direct observation of inward and outward wave packet detection and frequency doubling of the detected wave packet oscillation. The time dependent quantum mechanical wave packet calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental results and allow a clear interpretation of different ionization pathways and mechanisms observed in the femtosecond ion signal.

Vibrational wave packet dynamics in NaK: The A [formula omitted] state

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the vibrational wave packet dynamics for the NaK molecule in the A 1 Σ + state is presented. The experiment utilises a 790 nm one-colour femtosecond pump-probe scheme with detection of a previously not reported dissociation pathway of the 3 1 Π + state, leading to the Na(3p)+K(4s) product channel. The dissociation is suggested to proceed via either collisionally mediated processes or a molecular cascading process via the 4 1 Σ + state, which crosses several states correlating to the Na(3p)+K(4s) limit. Time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations are used for studying the dynamics in detail. Simulations are performed both for 790 nm and for 766 nm, to relate also to earlier studies. The previous interpretations of the probe processes are revised. Inclusion of vibrational and rotational temperature effects are shown to be crucial for explaining the shape of the signal and the vibrational period, and leads to excellent agreement with the experiments.