Valence Shell Photoelectron Spectrum Research Articles

Valence shell photoelectron angular distributions and vibrationally resolved spectra of imidazole: A combined experimental-theoretical study.

Linearly polarized synchrotron radiation has been used to record polarization dependent valence shell photoelectron spectra of imidazole in the photon energy range 21-100eV. These have allowed the photoelectron angular distributions, as characterized by the anisotropy parameter β, and the electronic state intensity branching ratios to be determined. Complementing these experimental data, theoretical photoionization partial cross sections and β-parameters have been calculated for the outer valence shell orbitals. The assignment of the structure appearing in the experimental photoelectron spectra has been guided by vertical ionization energies and spectral intensities calculated by various theoretical methods that incorporate electron correlation and orbital relaxation. Strong orbital relaxation effects have been found for the 15a', nitrogen lone-pair orbital. The calculations also predict that configuration mixing leads to the formation of several low-lying satellite states. The vibrational structure associated with ionization out of a particular orbital has been simulated within the Franck-Condon model using harmonic vibrational modes. The adiabatic approximation appears to be valid for the X 2A″ state, with the β-parameter for this state being independent of the level of vibrational excitation. However, for all the other outer valence ionic states, a disparity occurs between the observed and the simulated vibrational structure, and the measured β-parameters are at variance with the behavior expected at the level of the Franck-Condon approximation. These inconsistencies suggest that the excited electronic states may be interacting vibronically such that the nuclear dynamics occur over coupled potential energy surfaces.

An experimental and theoretical study of the valence shell photoelectron spectrum of oxalyl chloride

Abstract Polarization dependent photoelectron spectra encompassing the outer valence orbitals of oxalyl chloride have been recorded in the photon energy range 19–91 eV. These have allowed photoelectron anisotropy parameters and branching ratios to be determined. Photoionization partial cross sections and photoelectron anisotropy parameters have been calculated with the Continuum Multiple Scattering – Xα approach. Four of the outer valence orbitals are predicted to possess a significant Cl 3p lone-pair character and have closely grouped binding energies. The photoionization dynamics of these four orbitals are predicted to be strongly affected by the Cooper minimum associated with the Cl 3p orbital in the isolated atom at photon energies around 40 eV. A comparison between the theoretical and measured photoelectron anisotropy parameters has enabled the molecular orbital sequence to be clarified. A doublet has been observed in the region of the photoelectron spectrum where a band due to the 5bu orbital might be anticipated. Our calculations indicate that the 6bu and 5bu orbitals are coupled. This coupling may account for the apparent lack of a pronounced Cooper minimum in the β-parameter associated with the nominal 6bu ionization and for the unexpected appearance of the adjacent photoelectron band, nominally associated with the 5bu orbital. The vertical ionization energy of the outermost 7ag orbital was experimentally determined to be 11.266 ± 0.005 eV.

Correlation effects in the photoelectron spectrum and photoionization dynamics of OsO4.

The valence shell photoelectron spectrum of OsO4 has been calculated from the wave functions of the ejected photoelectrons responsible for the formation of the lowest five cationic states, whose vertical ionization energies have been estimated using the equation of motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) and multi-configurational self consistent field (MCSCF) based methods. These non-relativistic states when coupled via the spin-orbit operator result in the spin-orbit states, which are compared with the results from synchrotron measurements. The lowest three cationic states could be described by both the EOM-CCSD and MCSCF based methods, whereas the multi-reference character of the closely spaced fourth and fifth cationic states was suitably described by the latter method. The photoelectron spectral intensities of different ionization channels, calculated using the Dyson orbital formalism within the sudden approximation, reproduced the experimental spectrum by capturing all of its essential features, including the detailed vibronic structure of the first band, which shows the presence of fundamental, overtone and combination bands of a1 and e modes. The kinetic energy dependence of the photoionization parameters, such as the photoionization cross section and asymmetry parameters, has been calculated for each of the photoionization channels and the complex interplay of multiple partial waves that define the wave function of the ejected electron at different photon energies has been analyzed to explain the resonance structures observed in the experimental cross section profiles.

Vibronic structure and photoelectron angular distribution in the photoelectron spectrum of ICN

The valence shell photoelectron spectrum of ICN has been simulated using the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method to calculate the ionization energies and the norms of the Dyson orbitals to describe the intensity of the photoelectron bands. The simulated spectrum not only reproduces the position and intensity of the four main bands observed in the experimental photoelectron spectrum, but the vibronic structure present in the individual photoelectron bands is also reproduced to a reasonable extent. The agreement between the experimental and simulated vibronic structures at higher energies corresponding to the and states is particularly noteworthy. Additionally, the photoionization cross section and asymmetry parameter have been calculated for the ionization of four outermost valence molecular orbitals in the photon energy range of 0-50 eV. The computed asymmetry parameters are found to provide a qualitative description of the corresponding experimental measurements. The shape-resonance seen in the experimental asymmetry parameters and the trends seen in the calculated cross section for the four ionization channels have been explained by the partial wave analysis of the contribution of the individual angular momentum channels to the photoelectron.

An experimental and theoretical study of the photoelectron spectra of cis-dichloroethene: Valence shell vertical ionization and vibronic coupling in the low-lying cationic states.

The valence shell photoelectron spectrum of cis-dichloroethene has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Photoelectron spectra have been recorded with horizontally and vertically plane polarized synchrotron radiation, thereby allowing the anisotropy parameters, characterizing the angular distributions, to be determined. The third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction approximation scheme for the one-particle Green's function has been employed to compute the complete valence shell ionization spectrum. In addition, the vertical ionization energies have been calculated using the outer valence Green's function (OVGF) method and the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster, with single and double substitutions for calculating ionization potentials (EOM-IP-CCSD) model. The theoretical results have enabled assignments to be proposed for most of the structure observed in the experimental spectra, including the inner-valence regions dominated by satellite states. The linear vibronic coupling model has been employed to study the vibrational structure of the lowest photoelectron bands, using parameters obtained from ab initio calculations. The ground state optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies have been computed at the level of the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory, and the dependence of the ionization energies on the nuclear configuration has been evaluated using the OVGF method. While the adiabatic approximation holds for the 2B1 state photoelectron band, the 2B2, 2A1, and 2A2 states interact vibronically and form a complex photoelectron band system with four distinct maxima. The 2B1 and 2B2 states also interact vibronically with each other. The potential energy surface of the 2B1 state is predicted to have a double-minimum shape with respect to the out-of-plane a2 deformations of the molecular structure. The single photoelectron band resulting from this interaction is characterized by a highly irregular structure, reflecting the non-adiabatic nuclear dynamics occurring on the two coupled potential energy surfaces forming a conical intersection close to the minimum of the 2B2 state.

An experimental and theoretical study of the valence shell photoelectron spectra of 2-chloropyridine and 3-chloropyridine.

The valence shell photoelectron spectra of 2-chloropyridine and 3-chloropyridine have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Synchrotron radiation has been employed to record angle resolved photoelectron spectra in the photon energy range 20-100 eV, and these have enabled anisotropy parameters and branching ratios to be derived. The experimental results have been compared with theoretical predictions obtained using the continuum multiple scattering Xα approach. This comparison shows that the anisotropy parameter associated with the nominally chlorine lone-pair orbital lying in the molecular plane is strongly affected by the atomic Cooper minimum. In contrast, the photoionization dynamics of the second lone-pair orbital, orientated perpendicular to the molecular plane, seem relatively unaffected by this atomic phenomenon. The outer valence ionization has been studied theoretically using the third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC(3)) approximation scheme for the one-particle Green's function, the outer valence Green's function method, and the equation-of-motion (EOM) coupled cluster (CC) theory at the level of the EOM-IP-CCSD and EOM-EE-CC3 models. The convergence of the results to the complete basis set limit has been investigated. The ADC(3) method has been employed to compute the complete valence shell ionization spectra of 2-chloropyridine and 3-chloropyridine. The relaxation mechanism for ionization of the nitrogen σ-type lone-pair orbital (σN LP) has been found to be different to that for the corresponding chlorine lone-pair (σCl LP). For the σN LP orbital, π-π* excitations play the main role in the screening of the lone-pair hole. In contrast, excitations localized at the chlorine site involving the chlorine πCl LP lone-pair and the Cl 4p Rydberg orbital are the most important for the σCl LP orbital. The calculated photoelectron spectra have allowed assignments to be proposed for most of the structure observed in the experimental spectra. The theoretical work also highlights the formation of satellite states, due to the breakdown of the single particle model of ionization, in the inner valence region.

A study of the valence shell electronic structure and photoionisation dynamics of meta-dichlorobenzene and meta-bromochlorobenzene

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation has been performed to study the valence shell electronic structure and photoionisation dynamics of meta-dichlorobenzene and meta-bromochlorobenzene. Angle resolved photoelectron spectra of meta-dichlorobenzene have been recorded using synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range from close to threshold to 100eV. These have enabled photoelectron anisotropy parameters and branching ratios to be derived. The continuum multiple scattering approach has been employed to calculate photoionisation partial cross-sections and photoelectron angular distributions of the outer valence orbitals of meta-dichlorobenzene. A comparison between the corresponding experimental and theoretical results has demonstrated that ionisation from some of the orbitals is influenced by the Cooper minimum associated with the chlorine atom. Ionisation energies and spectral intensities evaluated with the third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction approximation for the one-particle Green’s function and the outer valence Green’s function approaches have allowed the features observed in the complete valence shell photoelectron spectra of meta-dichlorobenzene and meta-bromochlorobenzene to be interpreted. Many-body phenomena strongly influence ionisation from the inner valence orbitals and lead to the intensity associated with a particular orbital being redistributed amongst numerous satellites. High resolution photoelectron spectra have been recorded with HeI radiation. Vibrational structure has been observed in some of the photoelectron bands and tentative assignments have been proposed.

A study of the valence shell photoionisation dynamics of pyrimidine and pyrazine

The complete valence shell photoelectron spectra of pyrimidine and pyrazine have been recorded with synchrotron radiation and the observed structure has been interpreted with the aid of vertical ionisation energies and relative spectral intensities calculated using time-dependent density functional theory. The theoretical predictions for the single-hole ionic states due to outer valence shell ionisation agree satisfactorily with the experimental results. Ionisation from the inner valence orbitals is strongly influenced by many-body effects and the intensity associated with a particular orbital is spread amongst numerous satellites. Photoelectron angular distributions and partial cross sections have been determined both experimentally and theoretically, and demonstrate that shape resonances affect the valence shell photoionisation dynamics. In addition to shape resonances occurring a few eV above the ionisation threshold, the calculations indicate that many of the orbitals are influenced by shape resonant processes at much higher energies. Some of these higher energy resonances have been confirmed through a comparison between the relevant theoretical and experimental photoelectron asymmetry parameters. The spectral behaviour of asymmetry parameters associated with π-orbitals has been shown to differ from that of asymmetry parameters associated with σ-orbitals. These differences provide a means of distinguishing between the two types of orbitals even in heavily congested regions of the photoelectron spectrum suffering from band overlap.

An experimental and theoretical study of the valence shell photoelectron spectrum of bromochlorofluoromethane

The complete valence shell photoelectron spectrum of bromochlorofluoromethane (CHFClBr), covering the binding energy range ∼10–50 eV, has been recorded using synchrotron radiation and the observed structure has been interpreted using ionization energies and relative spectral intensities computed using the third-order algebraic-diagrammatic-construction (ADC(3)) scheme for the one-particle Green's function and the outer valence Green's function (OVGF) method. The theoretical results demonstrate that the inner valence region of the photoelectron spectrum is dominated by satellite structure. Angle-resolved photoelectron spectra, recorded at selected excitation energies, have enabled the orbital assignments for the outer valence bands to be confirmed. The four outermost photoelectron bands, ascribed to the two pairs of orbitals associated with the nominally chlorine and bromine lone-pairs, exhibit characteristic angular distributions. The photon energy dependent variations in the relative photoelectron band intensities provide additional support for the orbital assignments.

A study of the valence shell electronic structure of uracil and the methyluracils

The valence shell photoelectron spectra of uracil, 1-methyluracil and 6-methyluracil have been studied experimentally and theoretically. Synchrotron radiation has been used to record spectra at photon energies of 40 and 80 eV. Photoelectron angular distributions have been determined and these provide an experimental means of distinguishing between σ- and π-type orbitals. Vertical ionization energies and spectral intensities have been evaluated using the many-body Green’s function approach, thereby enabling theoretical photoelectron spectra to be derived. The calculated spectra display a satisfactory agreement with the experimental data and this has allowed most of the photoelectron bands to be assigned. Two of the outer-valence vertical ionization energies are similar to one another and the vibrational progressions associated with these transitions overlap strongly. Vibronic interaction between these states, induced through the excitation of out-of-plane vibrational modes, may lead to nonadiabatic effects. Preliminary theoretical investigation of this interaction has been performed.

A study of the valence shell electronic structure of the 5-halouracils

Valence shell photoelectron spectra of the 5-halouracils have been recorded using synchrotron radiation at photon energies of 40 and 80 eV. Photoelectron angular distributions have been determined and these provide an experimental means of deducing the extent to which the molecular orbitals possess predominantly σ, π or halogen np character. In chloro-, bromo- and iodouracil two peaks, associated with the essentially halogen atom lone-pair orbitals, have been observed. The separation between these peaks, and the value of their photoelectron asymmetry parameters at an excitation energy of 40 eV, are compared with results for the corresponding orbitals in the halobenzenes and halothiophenes. Vertical ionisation energies and spectral intensities have been evaluated using the many-body Green’s function approach, thereby enabling theoretical spectra to be derived. Assignments have been proposed for most of the structure observed in the valence shell photoelectron spectra based upon the available experimental and theoretical evidence.

Perfluoro effects in the occupied and virtual valence orbitals of hexafluorobenzene

The complete valence shell photoelectron spectrum of hexafluorobenzene has been recorded with synchrotron radiation and the observed structure has been interpreted using ab initio ionization energies and relative spectral intensities. The theoretical predictions for the single-hole ionic states due to outer valence shell ionization agree satisfactorily with the experimental results. Ionization from the inner valence, essential F 2s, orbitals is strongly influenced by many-body effects and the intensity is spread amongst numerous satellites. Photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios have been determined both experimentally and theoretically, and demonstrate that shape resonances affect the valence shell photoionization dynamics. Some of the shape resonances have been associated with virtual valence orbitals. An assessment of the perfluoro effect on the occupied and virtual valence orbitals of hexafluorobenzene has been carried out by comparing the present results for C6F6 with similar data for C6H6.

A Photoelectron and TPEPICO Investigation of the Acetone Radical Cation

The valence shell photoelectron spectrum, threshold photoelectron spectrum, and threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) mass spectra of acetone have been measured using synchrotron radiation. New vibrational progressions have been observed and assigned in the X 2B2 state photoelectron bands of acetone-h6 and acetone-d6, and the influence of resonant autoionization on the threshold electron yield has been investigated. The dissociation thresholds for fragment ions up to 31 eV have been measured and compared to previous values. In addition, kinetic modeling of the threshold region for CH3* and CH4 loss leads to new values of 78 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and 75 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1), respectively, for the 0 K activation energies for these two processes. The result for the methyl loss channel is in reasonable agreement with, but slightly lower than, that of 83 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1) derived in a recent TPEPICO study by Fogleman et al. The modeling accounts for both low-energy dissociation channels at two different ion residence times in the mass spectrometer. Moreover, the effects of the ro-vibrational population distribution, the electron transmission efficiency, and the monochromator band-pass are included. The present activation energies yield a Delta(f)H298 for CH3CO+ of 655 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), which is 4 kJ mol(-1) lower than that reported by Fogleman et al. The present Delta(f)H298 for CH3CO+ can be combined with the Delta(f)H298 for CH2CO (-47.5 +/- 1.6 kJ mol(-1)) and H+ (1530 kJ mol(-1)) to yield a 298 K proton affinity for ketene of 828 +/- 4 kJ mol(-1), in good agreement with the value (825 kJ mol(-1)) calculated at the G2 level of theory. The measured activation energy for CH4 loss leads to a Delta(f)H298 (CH2CO+*) of 873 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1).

A study of the photoionisation dynamics of chloromethane and iodomethane

Angle resolved valence shell photoelectron spectra of chloromethane and iodomethane have been recorded using synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range 14–120 eV. These have allowed photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios to be determined not only for the main bands associated with the single-hole states but also for the satellite structure due to many-electron effects. The continuum multiple scattering approach has been used to calculate photoelectron asymmetry parameters and branching ratios for the valence orbitals of CH 3Cl and CH 3I, and also for the I 4d subshell. A comparison between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions has enabled the influence of Cooper minima, shape resonances and intershell coupling to be assessed. The asymmetry parameters and branching ratio for the spin–orbit split components of the CH 3I + X ˜ 2 E state have been measured and exhibit a spectral behaviour almost identical to that of the corresponding data for the Xe 5p 3/2 and 5p 1/2 levels. The many-body Green’s function approach has been employed to evaluate the ionisation energies and spectral intensities of all valence states and the results have facilitated an interpretation of the satellite structure. The I 4d shake-up, shake-off and Auger spectra of iodomethane have been recorded and many of the Auger peaks have been assigned using previously determined ionisation energies of doubly charged valence states.

Photoelectron spectra of the nucleobases cytosine, thymine and adenine

The complete valence shell photoelectron spectra of cytosine, thymine and adenine have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. Vertical ionization energies and spectral intensities have been evaluated using the many-body Green's function method, thereby enabling theoretical photoelectron spectra to be derived. In cytosine, the influence of tautomers and rotational conformers has been investigated. The calculated spectra display a satisfactory agreement with the experimental data and this has allowed most of the photoelectron bands to be assigned. Photoelectron asymmetry parameters have been determined from angle resolved spectra recorded with synchrotron radiation. The experimental data show that the electronic configuration of the five outer orbitals in cytosine, thymine and adenine is π, σ, π, σ, π. Vertical ionization energies have been measured for all the outer-valence orbitals even though some of the associated bands overlap significantly.

A study of the valence shell photoelectron and photoabsorption spectra of CF3SF5

The outer valence shell photoelectron spectrum of CF3SF5 has been studied experimentally and theoretically. Synchrotron radiation has been used to record angle-resolved outer valence shell photoelectron spectra of CF3SF5 in the photon energy range 18–60 eV. These spectra have allowed photoelectron asymmetry parameters and branching ratios to be derived. The Outer Valence Green's Function approach has been employed to calculate the molecular orbital configuration and associated binding energies. A charge distribution analysis has also been obtained. Assignments have been proposed for the peaks observed in the photoelectron spectrum. The absolute photoabsorption cross section of CF3SF5 has been measured from threshold to 40 eV, and strongly resembles that of SF6. Assignments, involving intravalence transitions, have been proposed for some of the principal features appearing in the photoabsorption spectrum of CF3SF5.

An experimental and theoretical study of the valence shell photoelectron spectrum of tetrafluoromethane

Abstract The complete valence shell photoelectron spectrum of tetrafluoromethane has been recorded using synchrotron radiation and the observed structure has been interpreted using ionisation energies and relative spectral intensities computed using the third-order algebraic-diagrammatic-construction (ADC(3)) scheme for the one-particle Green’s function and the outer valence Green’s function (OVGF) method. The ADC(3) calculations were performed using both the original variant based on the Dyson equation and the recently proposed non-Dyson scheme. The theoretical predictions for the single-hole ionic states due to outer valence shell ionisation agree satisfactorily with the experimental results. Ionisation from the inner valence 2t2 and 3a1 orbitals is strongly influenced by reorganisation effects and the intensity is spread amongst numerous satellites. Highly resolved spectra have been measured for the C ∼ 2 T 2 and the D ∼ 2 A 1 states, and the vibrational structure has been associated primarily with excitation of the ν 1 + ( a 1 ) mode. However, the analyses also provide evidence for excitation of the Jahn-Teller active ν 2 + ( e ) mode in the C ∼ 2 T 2 state, and the ν 3 + ( t 2 ) mode in the D ∼ 2 A 1 state. Excitation of this latter mode can be explained in terms of vibronic coupling between the C ∼ 2 T 2 and the D ∼ 2 A 1 states. Photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios have been determined and demonstrate that shape resonances affect the outer valence shell photoionisation dynamics. The experimental results are compared with previous theoretical predictions but a consistent interpretation has not been obtained. The major difficulty concerns the uncertainty in the locations of valence shell transitions into the 5a1 and the 5t2 virtual orbitals.

A study of the photoionisation dynamics of the cyanogen halides

The valence shell photoelectron spectra of BrCN and ICN have been studied using synchrotron radiation. In addition to the main bands associated with the single-hole states, complex satellite structure due to many-electron effects has been observed in the inner valence region. The Green’s function method has been employed to evaluate the ionisation energies and pole strengths of all valence states and the results have facilitated an interpretation of the experimental spectra. Photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios for the valence shell, the Br 3d level in BrCN and the I 4d level in ICN have been measured in the photon energy range 14–120 eV. The continuum multiple scattering (CMS-Xα) approach has been used to calculate photoelectron asymmetry parameters and branching ratios for the valence orbitals of ClCN, BrCN and ICN. These have been used to assess the influence of Cooper minima and shape resonances on the photoionisation dynamics. In ICN, the experimental and theoretical results provide evidence of core-valence shell coupling at energies above the I 4d threshold. The experimentally determined asymmetry parameters and branching ratios for the spin–orbit split Br 3d5/2,3/2 and I 4d5/2,3/2 components have been compared to those for Kr and Xe, and a strong atomic-like behaviour is evident. The calculated spin–orbit averaged β-parameters for the Br 3d and I 4d levels confirm this interpretation. Hartree–Fock (HF) calculations have been carried out to study the evolution of the valence orbital characteristics through the series of halogen-substituted XCN (X=H, Cl, Br, I) molecules.

A fluorescence polarisation study of the CS2+ and the transitions

Abstract The fluorescence yields and polarisations of the CS 2 + A 2 Π u → X 2 Π g and the B 2 Σ u + → X 2 Π g transitions have been measured between their thresholds and 30 eV using synchrotron radiation. In the outer valence region the fluorescence yields display prominent structure due to autoionising Rydberg states. New features, associated with multi-electron transitions, have been observed between 16 and 30 eV, and most have been assigned through reference to the inner valence shell photoelectron spectrum. Some of the new features exhibit vibrational progressions involving excitation of the ν 1 ′ mode. The influence of shape resonances on the photoionisation partial cross-sections has been considered. The polarisation measurements for the A 2 Π u → X 2 Π g and the B 2 Σ u + → X 2 Π g transitions have been compared with predictions derived from theoretical photoionisation partial cross-sections. The predictions for the B 2 Σ u + → X 2 Π g fluorescence polarisation display a rapid increase in the threshold region, in agreement with the experimental results. Resonant excitation and decay processes produce significant variations in the fluorescence polarisation, and these changes can be used to deduce the symmetry of the excited state. This information has allowed the assignments of some of the Rydberg series converging onto the B 2 Σ u + or the C 2 Σ g + ionisation thresholds to be clarified.

An experimental and theoretical study of the valence shell photoelectron spectraof purine and pyrimidine molecules

The valence shell photoelectron spectrum of purine has been studied experimentallyand theoretically. Synchrotron radiation has been used to record spectra at photonenergies of 45 and 85 eV. Photoelectron angular distributions have been determinedand these provide an experimental means of distinguishing between σ-and π-typeorbitals. Vertical ionization energies and photoelectron spectral intensities havebeen evaluated using the many-body Green function method. The calculatedspectra agree well with the experimental results in the outer valence region andhave proved to be indispensable for interpreting the structure at higher bindingenergies where the single particle model of ionization breaks down. Thephotoelectron spectrum of pyrimidine has also been studied and is compared tothat of purine.