Predissociation dynamics of the hydroxyl radical (OH) based on a five-state spectroscopic model

Multi-reference configuration interaction potential energy curves (PECs) and spin-orbit couplings for the X 2Π, A 2Σ+, 1 2Σ-, 1 4Σ-, and 1 4Π states of OH are computed and refined against empirical energy levels and transitions to produce a spectroscopic model. Predissociation lifetimes are determined by discretizing continuum states in the variational method nuclear motion calculation by restricting the calculation to a finite range of internuclear separations. Varying this range gives a series of avoided crossings between quasi-bound states associated with the A 2Σ+ and continuum states, from which predissociation lifetimes are extracted. 424 quasi-bound A 2Σ+ state rovibronic energy levels are analyzed, and 374 predissociation lifetimes are produced, offering good coverage of the predissociation region. Agreement with measured lifetimes is satisfactory, and a majority of computed results were within experimental uncertainty. A previously unreported A 2Σ+ state predissociation channel that goes via X 2Π is identified in the calculations. A Python package, binSLT, produced to calculate predissociation lifetimes, associated line broadening parameters, and lifetime uncertainties is made available. The PECs and other curves from this work will be used to produce a rovibronic ExoMol line list and temperature-dependent photodissociation cross sections for the hydroxyl radical.

Predissociation dynamics of the A2Σ+ state of SH radical: Fine-structure state distributions of the S(3PJ) products

Photo-predissociation of rovibrational levels of SH (A2Σ+, v' = 0-6) is studied using the high-n Rydberg atom time-of-flight technique. Spin-orbit branching fractions of the S(3PJ=2,1,0) products are measured in the product translational energy distributions. The SH A2Σ+v' = 0 state predissociates predominantly via coupling to the 4Σ- repulsive state. As the vibrational level v' increases, predissociation dynamics change drastically, with all three repulsive states (4Σ-, 2Σ-, and 4Π) involved in the dissociation. Nonadiabatic interactions and quantum interferences among these dissociation pathways affect the fine-structure state distributions of the S(3PJ=2,1,0) products.