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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Molecular theory capability: LANL-PEM-Atomic implements universal descriptions of molecular photoionization

Photoionization of atomic ions, the process through which atoms in bound states absorb radiation by losing electrons, is a vital part of describing radiative transfer in mission-relevant dynamics. The photoionization of molecules dominates radiative transfer of ultraviolet (UV) and extreme UV (EUV) radiation in colder atmospheres (temperature < 30,000 degrees Kelvin). Consequently, air, which is quite transparent to our eyes (i.e., in the visible frequency regime) is remarkably opaque to radiation in much of the UV and EUV frequency regimes. This opacity makes air and other gas systems quite efficient at absorbing UV and EUV radiation, which heats the gas until ionization makes it transparent. This effect is important in describing a host of relevant phenomena, ranging from charge separation in high-altitude nuclear events and the dynamics of a nuclear fireball to the electrostatic discharges (sparks) that complicate weapons disassembly at Pantex.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

State-Selective Double Photoionization of Atomic Carbon and Neon

Double photoionization (DPI) allows for a sensitive and direct probe of electron correlation, which governs the structure of all matter. For atoms, much of the work in theory and experiment that informs our fullest understanding of this process has been conducted on helium, and efforts continue to explore many-electron targets with the same level of detail to understand the angular distributions of the ejected electrons in full dimensionality. Expanding on previous results, we consider here the double photoionization of two 2p valence electrons of atomic carbon and neon and explore the possible continuum states that are connected by dipole selection rules to the coupling of the outgoing electrons in 3P, 1D, and 1S initial states of the target atoms. Carbon and neon share these possible symmetries for the coupling of their valence electrons. Results are presented for the energy-sharing single differential cross section (SDCS) and triple differential cross section (TDCS), further elucidating the impact of the initial state symmetry in determining the angular distributions that are impacted by the correlation that drives the DPI process.

Yip, Frank L. (ORCID:000000025409495X)↗
NASA NTRS1973

Photoionization from excited states of helium

The cross sections for photoionization from the 2 1S, 2 3S, 2 1P and 2 3P excited states of helium are calculated for photoelectron energies below the n = 2 threshold of He(+) using Hylleraas bound state wave functions and 1s-2s-2p close coupling final state wave functions. The resonant structures associated with the lowest-lying 1S, 1P, 3P, and 1D autoionizing states of helium are found to be characterized by large values of the line profile parameter q. The cross sections and the photoelectron angular distribution asymmetry parameters for the P-states are calculated for various polarization states of the target atom and the incident photon. Experiments which would lead to the separate determinations of the S- and D- wave partial photoionization cross sections are discussed.

Jacobs, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Photoionization of carbon dioxide

Investigation of the mechanism for dissociative ionization of CO2 on the basis of measurements of the yields of photoions from CO2. It is found that at photon energies immediately above the molecular ionization limit of 13.773 plus or minus 0.002 eV the photoion yield curve exhibits a number of closely spaced peaks in a pattern not resembling Rydberg series. Two fragment ions, O(+) and CO(+), are observed as products of dissociative ionization. The yield of O(+) follows a weak, oscillatory curve from the thermochemical threshold at 19.07 eV to 19.39 eV, where a sudden increase in O(+) yield is observed exactly at the onset of the state CO2(+)/C 2 Sigma g (+)/, indicating predissociation of this state of the molecular ion. The magnitude of the jump in O(+) yield at 19.39 eV suggests that this predissociation is the principal mechanism for dissociative ionization.

Mcculloh, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Near-threshold photoionization of xenon metastable atoms

Photoionization from metastable levels of atomic xenon has been studied in the wavelength range from the threshold at 4622 A to 2700 A. Structure in the photoionization signal, due to autoionization, is analyzed to provide term values, lifetimes, and line-shape parameters of the autoionizing states. These parameters, together with the estimated absolute cross sections, are used to derive discrete and continuum oscillator strengths.

Rundel, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A photoionization study of the formation of CO2/+/ by reaction of excited O2/+/ ions with CO

The production of CO2(+) by the ion-molecule reaction O2(+) + CO yields CO2(+) + O has been investigated using a photoionization mass spectrometer. The photoionization efficiency for production of CO2(+) by this reaction was measured from threshold at 924 A (13.42 eV) to 650 A (19.07 eV). The appearance potential corresponds to reaction of ground vibronic O2(+) ions formed in the nu-prime = 6 level. The high-vibrational-level ions of the ground ionic state are most likely produced by autoionization of O2. At wavelengths shorter than 760 A, there is a large increase in the reaction cross section associated with formation of ions in the metastable state. The peak reaction cross section occurs at 720 A.

Ajello, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Absolute measurement of the photoionization cross section of atomic hydrogen with a shock tube for the extreme ultraviolet

The paper reports an experiment which is part of a program to measure the absolute values of the atomic photoionization cross sections of astrophysically abundant elements, particularly in stars and planetary atmospheres. An aerodynamic pressure-driven shock tube constructed from stainless steel with a quadratic cross section was used to measure the photoionization cross section of H I at 19 wavelength points from 910 to 609 A with experimental uncertainties between 7 and 20%. The shock tube was used to produce fully dissociated hydrogen and neon mixtures for the photoabsorption measurements.

Palenius, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A photoionization study of the formation of NO2/+/ by reaction of excited O2/+/ ions with NO

Photoionization mass spectrometer results are presented for the first observation of the ion-molecule reaction in which O2(+) + NO yields NO2(+) + O. The reaction is energetically possible for ground state O2(+) ions in the lowest vibrational level. Photoionization efficiency curves for NO(+), O2(+), and NO2(+) are presented and compared, with special emphasis on autoionization features. In addition to the production of NO2(+) by the cited reaction, there is also a possibility for NO2(+) formation by the process O2 + NO(+) yielding NO2(+) + O. This reaction is calculated to be exothermic for incident photon energies of 11.73 eV.

Ajello, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer for measurement of stratospheric gases

A balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer used to measure stratospheric trace gases is described. Ions are created with photons from high-intensity krypton discharge lamps and a quadrupole mass analyzer is employed for ion identification. Differential pumping is achieved with liquid helium cryopumping. To insure measurement of unperturbed stratospheric air, the entire system is contained in a sealed gondola and the atmospheric sample is taken some distance away during descent. The photoionization technique allows the detection of a low ionization potential constituent, such as nitric oxide, at less than a part in one billion in the presence of the major atmospheric gases and their isotopes. Operation of the mass spectrometer system was demonstrated during a daytime flight from Palestine, Texas on 26 April 1977. The sensitivity achieved and the unique selectivity afforded by this technique offer a capability for trace constituent measurement not possible with the more conventional electron impact ionization approach.

Aikin, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Double photoionization and doubly charged ions in the thermosphere

It is shown that a plausible cross section for the double photoionization of oxygen at wavelengths less than 254 A accounts for the observed concentration of O(2+) ions in the thermosphere. Due to the lack of laboratory measurements, double ionization cross sections for atomic oxygen were estimated from laboratory measurements of the ionization cross sections of other species. For altitudes between 150 and 400 km, where O(2+) is assumed to be in photochemical equilibrium, calculations reveal a significantly greater contribution to O(2+) production by double ionization of O atoms than by single ionization of O(+) ions. The concentration of O(2+) ions, assuming a double photoionization creation mechanism and a large sink by charge exchange with molecular nitrogen, is calculated to agree with that measured by AE-C down to altitudes of 250 km.

Victor, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

GaAs-oxide interface states - A gigantic photoionization effect and its implications to the origin of these states

Gigantic photoionization was discovered on GaAs-oxide interfaces leading to the discharge of deep surface states with rates exceeding 1000 times those of photoionization transitions to the conduction band. It exhibits a peak similar to acceptor-donor transitions and is explained as due to energy transfer from photo-excited donor-acceptor pairs to deep surface states. This new process indicates the presence of significant concentrations of shallow donor and acceptor levels not recognized in previous interface models.

Lagowski, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

GaAs-oxide interface states - Gigantic photoionization via Auger-like process

Spectral and transient responses of photostimulated current in MOS structures were employed for the study of GaAs-anodic oxide interface states. Discrete deep traps at 0.7 and 0.85 eV below the conduction band were found with concentrations of 5 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm and 7 x 10 to the 11th/sq cm, respectively. These traps coincide with interface states induced on clean GaAs surfaces by oxygen and/or metal adatoms (submonolayer coverage). In contrast to surfaces with low oxygen coverage, the GaAs-thick oxide interfaces exhibited a high density (about 10 to the 14th/sq cm) of shallow donors and acceptors. Photoexcitation of these donor-acceptor pairs led to a gigantic photoionization of deep interface states with rates 1000 times greater than direct transitions into the conduction band. The gigantic photoionization is explained on the basis of energy transfer from excited donor-acceptor pairs to deep states.

Lagowski, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dissociative and double photoionization cross sections of NO from threshold to 120 A

The partial photoionization cross sections for producing the NO(+) parent ion and the O(+), N(+), and NO2(+) fragment ions from neutral NO are presented from 120 to 614 A. The results indicate predissociation of the c(sup3) pi (21.72 eV) and B prime (sup 1) sigma (+) (22.73 eV) electronic states of NO(+). The photoionization threshold for double ionization was found to be 39.4 + or 0.12 eV.

Samson, J. A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Photoionization of sodium atoms and electron scattering from ionized sodium

The polarized-orbital method of Temkin (1957) is applied using polarized orbitals determined from Sternheimer's equation to compute the photoionization cross sections of Na atoms from threshold to about 60 eV. The approximations involved in the analysis are explained in detail; the explicit forms of the integrals and matrix expressions are given in appendices; and the results are presented in tables and graphs. Good agreement is found with the results of Chang and Kelly (1975), and the possibility that small amounts of molecular vapor in Na-photoionization experiments are responsible for the discrepancies between calculated and measured cross sections is considered.

Dasgupta, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dissociative and double photoionization cross sections of NO from threshold to 120 A

The partial photoionization cross sections for producing the NO(+) parent ion and the O(+), N(+), and NO(2+) fragmentations from neutral NO are presented from 120 to 614 A. The results indicate predissociation of the 3 pi (21.72 eV) and B-prime 1Sigma(+) (22.73 eV) electronic states of NO(+). The photoionization threshold for double ionization was found to be 39.4 + or - 0.12 eV.

Samson, J. A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The photoionization of the diffuse galactic gas

In a study of the diffuse ionized gas (DIG) component of the interstellar medium, it is attempted to see if the general properties of dilute gas ionized by O stars are similar to observations and to what extent the observations of the DIG can be used to determine the nature of the ionizing radiation field at great distances above the plane of the Galaxy. It has been suggested by Reynolds (1985) that either shocks or photoionization might be responsible for the DIG. The photoionization model seems required by the observations.

Mathis, J. S.↗