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At least 37 records · Page 2

Improved temperature dependence of rate coefficients for rotational state-to-state transitions in H 2 O + H 2 O collisions

Aims. We present an improved database of temperature-dependent rate coefficients for rotational state-to-state transitions in H 2 O + H 2 O collisions. The database includes 231 transitions between the lower para-states of H 2 O and 210 transitions between its lower ortho-states (up toj= 7) and can be employed in cometary and planetary applications up to the temperature of 1000 K. Methods. We developed and applied a new general method that allows the generation of rate coefficients for excitation and quenching processes that automatically satisfy the principle of microscopic reversibility and also helps to cover the range of low collision energies by interpolation of cross sections between the process threshold and the computed data points. Results. We find that in the range of intermediate temperatures, 150

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Line strengths, collision strengths and excitation rates for multiply-charged silicon ions

In the present paper, the line strengths, collision strengths, and rate coefficients are calculated for a variety of transitions in multiply charged silicon ions from Si(VI) to Si(XIV). The line strengths are obtained by using Clementi wave functions for the ground-state configuration, and excited-state wave functions generated by a semiempirical method. The collision strengths are calculated in an LS coupling scheme in the distorted-wave approximation, neglecting exchange except for the helium-like transitions. These results are then integrated over a Maxwellian velocity distribution function to yield rate coefficients. The rates are presented graphically and also in terms of a two-parameter fit.

Davis, J.↗

Rate coefficients for the excitation of infrared and ultraviolet lines in C II, N III, and O IV

New and improved collision strengths and Maxwellian-averaged rate coefficients for temperatures between 1000 and 40,000 K are presented for all the prominent transitions in the spectra of C II, N III, and O IV. The collision strengths show extensive autoionization structures that are delineated in detail and which enhance the rate coefficients for several transitions by a considerable amount. Maxwellian-averaged collision strengths are calculated for all possible fine-structure transitions along the states included in the eigenfunction expansion of the target ion. All calculations are carried out in the close-coupling approximation using the R-matrix method as adapted for the Opacity Project.

Blum, Robert D.↗

Formaldehyde reactions in dark clouds

The low-pressure reactions of formaldehyde (H2CO) with D(+), D2(+), D3(+), and He(+) are studied by the ion-cyclotron resonance technique. These reactions are potential loss processes for formaldehyde in cores of dark interstellar clouds. The deuterated reactants represent direct analogs for protons. Rate coefficients and branching ratios of product channels have been measured. Charge transfer is observed to be the dominant reaction of H2CO with D(+), D2(+), and He(+) ions. Only the D3(+) reaction exhibits a proton-transfer channel. All reactions proceed at rate coefficients near the collision limit. Proton-deuteron exchange reactions are found to be inefficient processes in the formaldehyde system.

Sen, A. D.↗

Atomic data and spectral analysis of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and silicon ions observed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer

According to the plan presented in the original proposal we have now completed most of the atomic calculations involving collision strengths and rate coefficients for electron impact excitation of C II, N III, and O IV ions. These have been reported in the first two publications appended with this report. We have now moved into the applications phase of the project with the new data being used to analyze the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations of a variety of objects, as described in the third publication recently submitted (also appended). The analysis and interpretation of archival data will continue well into the next year with several collaborators that the PI and Co-PI are involved with. In addition, the atomic calculations on Si II have been started.

Pradhan, Anil K.↗

Quantum reactive scattering calculations for the cold and ultracold Li + LiNa → Li 2 + Na reaction

A first-principles based quantum dynamics study of the Li + LiNa(ν = 0, j = 0) → Li 2 (ν', j') + Na reaction is reported for collision energies spanning the ultracold (1 nK) to cold (1 K) regimes. A full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of Li 2 Na is utilized that includes an accurate treatment of the long-range interactions. The Li + LiNa reaction is barrierless and exoergic and exhibits a deep attractive potential well that supports complex formation. Thus, significant reactivity occurs even for collision temperatures approaching absolute zero. The reactive scattering calculations are based on a numerically exact time-independent quantum dynamics methodology in hyperspherical coordinates. Total and rotationally resolved rate coefficients are reported at 56 collision energies and include all contributing partial waves. Several shape resonances are observed in many of the rotationally resolved rate coefficients and a small resonance feature is also reported in the total rate coefficient near 50 mK. Furthermore, of particular interest, the angular distributions or differential cross sections are reported as a function of both the collision energy and scattering angle. Unique quantum fingerprints (bumps, channels, and ripples) are observed in the angular distributions for each product rotational state due to quantum interference and shape resonance contributions. The Li + LiNa reaction is under active experimental investigation so that these intriguing features could be verified experimentally when sufficient product state resolution becomes feasible for collision energies below 1 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fitting Vibrational Energy Parameters to Falloff Experiments: CH3 + CH3 + He (0.6-2 Torr 200-298 K)

There are many reported experiments and theoretical calculations for the combination of methyl free radicals diluted in a non-reactive 'deactivator. At high pressure the ethane (C2H6) combination product is the sole product; with decreasing pressure the chemically activated C2H6 will decompose. The falloff in the observed rate coefficient is the result of the competition between collisional stabilization of the chemically activated CA and unimolecular decomposition. The dependence of the rate coefficient on pressure, temperature and collision properties is complex and can not be calculated from first principles. The understanding of this system is not only of fundamental importance but is relevant to the recent detection of methyl free radicals in the atmospheres of Saturn - and Neptune. The temperatures of these outer planet atmospheres are in the 140-200 K region with total pressures (predominately H2 and He) less than 0.2 Torr. Experimentally determined rate coefficients have been reported for this reaction at T = 296-906 K and T = 200-408 K mostly with argon as the deactivator. At T = 200 K only the high pressure rate coefficient has been determined. Complete falloff curves over a wide temperature range (200-1600 K) with a variety of weak collider models used to simulate argon as the deactivator have also been reported by Klippenstein and Harding (KH). More recently we have reported the experimental rate coefficients in the falloff region with helium as the deactivator at 200 and 298 K. In this paper we have used the calculated falloff curves reported by KH for argon to determine the average energy transferred per collision for helium in our recently reported experiments. Collision rates were converted using Lennard Jones parameters; the temperature dependence of this conversion factor is noted. The helium experiments were consistent with a down of approximately 100 cm (exp-1); the temperature dependence was slight. The magnitude of down and its temperature dependence will be compared to other systems with similar substrate complexity and reaction energetics.

Tardy, Dwight C.↗

Collisional broadening of rotational lines in the stimulated Raman pentad Q-branch of CD4

Self- and argon-broadening coefficients are reported for a number of Raman Q-branch transitions in the nu(1) and nu(2) + nu(4) bands of (C-12)D4 at room temperature (296 K). The coefficients display a variation with j and with C exp n (symmetry species A, E, F) that is essentially independent of collision partner and which is similar to the j- and C exp n-dependence found in previous measurements of the IR line-broadening coefficients. The rotationally inelastic collision rates previously measured by Foy et al. (1988) for (C-13)D4 (V4 = 0, 1) in collision with (C-13)D4 or Ar account for only a part of the Raman broadening rate, suggesting possibly significant contributions to the linewidths from efficient V-V transfer or elastic dephasing collisions.

Millot, G.↗

Kinetics and Thermochemistry of the Br((sup 2)P3/2) + NO2 Association Reaction

A laser flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to study the kinetics of the Br((sup 2)P3/2) + NO2 association reaction as a function of temperature (259-432 K) pressure (12.5 - 700 Torr), and buffer gas identity (He, Ar, H2, N2, CO2, CF4, SF6). The reaction is found to be in the falloff regime between third and second order over the entire range of conditions investigated. At temperatures below 350 K, the association reaction is found to be irreversible on the time scale of the experiment (approximately 30 ms). At higher temperatures reversible addition is observed, allowing equilibrium constants for BrNO2 formation and dissociation to be determined. Second- and third-law analyses of the equilibrium data are in only fair agreement and lead to the following thermochemical parameters for the association reaction: Delta-H(298) = 19.6 +/- 1.7 kcal/mol, Delta-H(0) = -18.6 +/- 2.0 kcal/mol, Delta-S(298) = 29.3 +/- 4.2 cal/mol/K, Delta-H(sub f)(sub 298)(BrNO2) = 17.0 +/-1.8 kcal/mol(uncertainties are 2 sigma estimates of absolute accuracy). The value for Delta-H(0) determined in this study has been employed to calculate k(sub 0)(sup SC), the low-pressure third-order rate coefficient in the strong collision limit, by using the method of Troe; calculated values of k(sub 0)(sup SC) are inconsistent with experimental results unless Delta-H(0) is assigned a value near the lower limit derived from analysis of the high-temperature approach to equilibrium data, i.e. delta-H(0) approximately equals -16.6 kcal/mol. A potential source of systematic error in the calculation of both k(sub 0)(sup SC) and the absolute entropy of BrNO2 results from the complete lack of knowledge of the energies and degeneracies of the electronic states of BrNO3. The procedure developed by Troe and co-workers has been employed to extrapolate experimental falloff curves to the low- and high-pressure limits. Derived values for k(sub 0)(M,298K) in units of 10(exp -31) cm(exp 6)/sq molecule/s range from 2.75 for M = He to 6.54 for M = CO2; 2 sigma uncertainties are estimated to be +/- 20%. Values for k(sub 0)(N2,T) in units of 10(exp -31) cm(exp 6)/sq molecule/s are 5.73 at 259 K, 4.61 at 298 K, and 3.21 at 346 K; the observed temperature dependence for k(sub 0)(N2,T) is consistent with the theoretical temperature dependence for Beta(sub c)k(sub 0)(sup SC). Values for k(sub infinity)(T) in units of 10(exp -11) cu cm/molecule/s are 2.86 at 259 K, 3.22 at 298 K, and 3.73 at 346 K; 2 sigma uncertainties are estimated to be a factor of 2. Approximate falloff parameters in a convenient format for atmospheric modeling are also derived.

Kreutter, K. D.↗

High temperature electronic excitation and ionization rates in gases

The relaxation times for electronic excitation due to electron bombardment of atoms was found to be quite short, so that electron kinetic temperature (T sub e) and the electron excitation temperature (T asterisk) should equilibrate quickly whenever electrons are present. However, once equilibrium has been achieved, further energy to the excited electronic states and to the kinetic energy of free electrons must be fed in by collisions with heavy particles that cause vibrational and electronic state transitions. The rate coefficients for excitation of electronic states produced by heavy particle collision have not been well known. However, a relatively simple semi-classical theory has been developed here which is analytic up to the final integration over a Boltzmann distribution of collision energies; this integral can then be evaluated numerically by quadrature. Once the rate coefficients have been determined, the relaxation of electronic excitation energy can be evaluated and compared with the relaxation rates of vibrational excitation. Then the relative importance of these two factors, electronic excitation and vibrational excitation by heavy particle collision, on the transfer of energy to free electron motion, can be assessed.

Hansen, Frederick↗

Ionization of NO at high temperature

Rate coefficients for ionization produced in collision of N and O atoms and the reverse dissociative recombination of NO(+) and electrons is redeveloped so as to provide the specific rate dependence on translational, vibrational, and free-electron temperatures. At equilibrium, the results compare favorably with experimental data over a wide range of temperature.

Hansen, C. Frederick↗

Inelastic Triatom-Atom Quantum Close-Coupling Dynamics in Full Dimensionality: All Rovibrational Mode Quenching of Water Due to the H Impact on a Six-Dimensional Potential Energy Surface

The rovibrational level populations, and subsequent emission in various astrophysical environments, are driven by inelastic collision processes. The available rovibrational rate coefficients for water have been calculated using a number of approximations. We present a numerically exact calculation for the rovibrational quenching for all water vibrational modes due to collisions with atomic hydrogen. The scattering theory implements a quantum close-coupling (CC) method on a high level ab initio six-dimensional (6D) potential energy surface (PES). Total rovibrational quenching cross sections for excited bending levels were compared with earlier results on a 4D PES with the rigid-bender closecoupling (RBCC) approximation. General agreement between 6D-CC and 4DRBCC calculations are found, but differences are evident including the energy and amplitude of low-energy orbiting resonances. Quenching cross sections from the symmetric and asymmetric stretch modes are provided for the first time. The current 6D-CC calculation provides accurate inelastic data needed for astrophysical modeling.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Rate coefficients for rotational state-to-state transitions in H 2 O + H 2 O collisions for cometary and planetary applications, as predicted by mixed quantum-classical theory

We present new calculations of collision cross sections for state-to-state transitions between the rotational states in an H 2 O + H 2 O system, which are used to generate a new database of collisional rate coefficients for cometary and planetary applications. Calculations were carried out using a mixed quantum-classical theory approach that is implemented in the code MQCT. The large basis set of rotational states used in these calculations permits us to predict thermally averaged cross sections for 441 transitions in para- and ortho-H 2 O in a broad range of temperatures. It is found that all state-to-state transitions in the H 2 O + H 2 O system split into two well-defined groups, one with higher cross-section values and lower energy transfer, which corresponds to the dipole-dipole driven processes. The other group has smaller cross sections and higher energy transfer, driven by higher-order interaction terms. We present a detailed analysis of the theoretical error bars, and we symmetrized the state-to-state transition matrixes to ensure that excitation and quenching processes for each transition satisfy the principle of microscopic reversibility. We also compare our results with other data available from the literature for H 2 O + H 2 O collisions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Calculation of State Specific Rate Coefficients for Non-Equilibrium Hypersonics Applications: from H(Psi) = E(Psi) to k(T) = A *exp(-E(sub a)/RT)

Development of High-Fidelity Physics-Based Models to describe hypersonic flight through the atmospheres of Earth and Mars is underway at NASA Ames Research Center. The goal is to construct chemistry models of the collisional and radiative processes that occur in the bow shock and boundary layers of spacecraft during atmospheric entry that are free of empiricism. In this talk I will discuss our philosophy and describe some of our progress. Topics to be covered include thermochemistry, internal energy relaxation, collisional dissociation and radiative emission and absorption. For this work we start by solving the Schrodinger equation to obtain accurate interaction potentials and radiative properties. Then we invoke classical mechanics to compute state-specific heavy particle collision cross sections and reaction rate coefficients. Finally, phenomenological rate coefficients and relaxation times are determined from master equation solutions.

aerothermodynamics↗

Atomic Data and Spectral Line Intensities for Ni XI

Electron impact collision strengths, energy levels, oscillator strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for Ni XI. We include in the calculations the 10 lowest configurations, corresponding to 164 fine structure levels: 3s(sup 2)3p(sup 6), 3s(sup 2)3p(sup 5)3d, 3s(sup 2)3p(sup 4)3d(sup 2), 3s3p(sup 6)3d, 3s(sup 2)3p(sup 5)4l and 3s3p6 4l with l =.s, p, d. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident energies for all transitions: 7.1, 16.8, 30.2, 48.7 and 74.1 Ry above the threshold of each transition. An additional energy, very close to the transition threshold, has been added, whose value is between 0.06 Ry and 0.25 Ry depending on the lower level. Calculations have been carried out using the Flexible Atomic Code and the distorted wave approximation. Excitation rate coefficients are calculated as a function of electron temperature by assuming a Maxwellian electron velocity distribution. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative transition rates of the present work, combined with Close Coupling collision excitation rate coefficient available in the literature for the lowest 17 levels, statistical equilibrium equations for level populations are solved at electron densities covering the 10(exp 8)-10(exp 14) cu cm range and at an electron temperature of logT(sub c)(K)=6.1, corresponding to the maximum abundance of Ni XI. Spectral line intensities are calculated, and their diagnostic relevance is discussed. This dataset will be made available in the next version of the CHIANTI database.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

Vibration-translation energy transfer in anharmonic diatomic molecules. 2: The vibrational quantum number dependence

A semiclassical model of the inelastic collision between a vibrationally excited anharmonic oscillator and a structureless atom was used to predict the variation of thermally averaged vibration-translation rate coefficients with temperature and initial-state quantum number. Multiple oscillator states were included in a numerical solution for collinear encounters. The results are compared with CO-He experimental values for both ground and excited initial states using several simplified forms of the interaction potential. The numerical model was also used as a basis for evaluating several less complete but analytic models. Two computationally simple analytic approximations were found that successfully reproduced the numerical rate coefficients for a wide range of molecular properties and collision partners. Their limitations were also identified. The relative rates of multiple-quantum transitions from excited states were evaluated for several molecular types.

Mckenzie, R. L.↗

Vibration-translation energy transfer in anharmonic diatomic molecules. II - The vibrational quantum-number dependence

A semiclassical model of the inelastic collision between a vibrationally excited anharmonic oscillator and a structureless atom is used to predict the variation of thermally averaged vibrational-translational rate coefficients with temperature and initial-state quantum number. Multiple oscillator states are included in a numerical solution for collinear encounters. The results are compared with CO-He experimental values for both ground and excited initial states using several simplified forms of the interaction potential. The numerical model is also used as a basis for evaluating several less complete, but analytic, models. Two computationally simple analytic approximations are found that successfully reproduce the numerical rate coefficients for a wide range of molecular properties and collision partners. Their limitations are identified, and the relative rates of multiple-quantum transitions from excited states are evaluated for several molecular types.

Mckenzie, R. L.↗

Collisional excitation of C2H− by H2: New interaction potential and scattering calculations

Interstellar anions play an important role in astrochemistry as being tracers of the physical and chemical conditions in cold molecular clouds and circumstellar gas. The local thermodynamic equilibrium is generally not fulfilled in media where anions are detected and radiative and collisional data are required to model the observed lines. The C2H− anion has not yet been detected in the interstellar medium; however, collisional data could be used for non-LTE models that would help in identifying the most intense lines. For this purpose, we have computed the first 4D potential energy surface (PES) of the C2H−–H2 complex using an explicitly correlated coupled-cluster approach. The PES is characterized by a single deep minimum with a well-depth of 924.96 cm−1. From this interaction potential, we derived excitation cross sections and rate coefficients of C2H− induced by collisions with para- and ortho-H2. The results obtained for collisions with para-H2 are compared to previous calculations performed using a 2D-PES obtained from an average over H2 rotations.

Chemistry↗