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State-of-the-art mass spectrometry with ultraviolet (UV) photoionization is mostly limited to time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometers with 1000-10 000 m/Δm mass resolution. However, higher resolution and higher spectral dynamic range mass spectrometry may be indispensable in complex mixture characterization. Here, we present the concept, implementation, and initial evaluation of a compact ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometer with gas-phase laser ionization. The concept is based on direct laser photoionization in the ion accumulation and ejection trap (C-trap) of an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) using 266 nm UV pulses from a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG laser was applied for selective and efficient ionization of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The system is equipped with a gas inlet for volatile compounds and a heated gas chromatography coupling. The former can be employed for rapid system m/z-calibration and performance evaluation, whereas the latter enables analysis of semivolatile and higher-molecular-weight compounds. The capability to evaluate complex mixtures is demonstrated for selected petrochemical materials. In these experiments, several hundred to over a thousand compounds could be attributed with a root-mean-square mass error generally below 1 ppm and a mass resolution of over 140 000 at 200 m/z. Isobaric interferences could be resolved, and narrow mass splits, such as 3.4 mDa (SH4/C3), are determined. Single laser shots provided limits of detection in the 20-ppb range for p-xylene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, similar to compact vacuum REMPI-ToF systems.

The photodissociation dynamics of PCl3 at 235 nm has been studied by monitoring ground state Cl(2P3/2) and spin–orbitally excited Cl(2P1/2) atoms by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Also, the PCln+ (n = 0, 1, 2) photoions were observed non-resonantly. The speed distributions and speed-dependent anisotropy parameters β for all these particles have been determined by three-dimensional photofragment ion imaging. The β parameters are close to zero for all these particles. The relative yield of excited Cl(2P1/2) atoms for photodissociation of PCl3 is 0.49 ± 0.03. The speed distributions of Cl(2P3/2) and Cl(2P1/2) atoms are bimodal, mainly resulting from the sequential photodissociation PCl3 → PCl2 → PCl. Near-resonant two-photon ionisation followed by near-resonance one-photon photodissociation is proposed for the production of PCln+ photoions. Using Condon's reflection principle, we constructed the vibrational mode dependent absorption spectrum by accounting for the vibrational motion for all six normal coordinates. As a result, the absorption of 235 nm radiation by PCl3 occurs due to zero vibrational motion rather far from the equilibrium geometry. In particular, movement along the Q2 normal coordinate results in an efficient photoinduced transition into the excited state A of D3h symmetry due to a parallel transition.

ConspectusThis Account presents recent advances in our understanding on the formation pathways of complex organic molecules (COMs) within interstellar analog ices on ice-coated interstellar nanoparticles upon interaction with ionizing radiation exploiting reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ReTOF-MS) coupled with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single photon ionization (PI) and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of the subliming molecules during the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) phase. Laboratory simulation experiments provided compelling evidence that key classes of complex organics (aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, enols, ketones, and carboxylic acids) can be synthesized upon exposure of astrophysically relevant model ices to ionizing radiation within and throughout the ices at temperatures as low as 5 K.Molecular mass growth processes can be initiated by suprathermal or electronically excited reactants along with barrierless radical-radical recombination if both radicals hold a proper recombination geometry. Methyl (CH3), amino (NH2), hydroxyl (OH), ethyl (C2H5), vinyl (C2H3), ethynyl (C2H), formyl (HCO), hydroxycarbonyl (HOCO), hydroxymethyl (CH2OH), methoxy (CH3O), and acetyl (CH3CO) represent readily available reactants for radical-radical recombinationwithin the ices. Reactive singlet species were found to insert without barrier into carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon single bonds (carbene) leading to an extension of the carbon chain and may add to carbon-carbon double bonds (carbene, atomic oxygen) forming cyclic reaction products. These galactic cosmic ray-triggered nonequilibrium pathways overcome previous obstacles of hypothesized thermal grain-surface processes and operate throughout the ice at 5 K. Our investigations discriminate between multiple structural isomers such as alcohols/ethers, aldehydes/enols, and cyclic/acyclic carbonyls. These data provide quantitative, isomer selective input parameters for a cosmic ray-dictated formation of complex organics in interstellar ices and are fully able to replicate the astronomical observations of complex organics over typical lifetimes of molecular clouds of a few 106 to 107 years. Overall, PI-ReTOF-MS revealed that the processing of astrophysically relevant ices can lead to multifaceted mixtures of organics reaching molecular weights of up to 200 amu. Further advances in laboratory techniques beyond the FTIR-QMS limit are clearly desired not only to confidently assign detection in laboratory ice analog experiments of increasingly more complex molecules of interest but also from the viewpoint of future astronomical searches in the age of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOFMS) was used to study the characteristic signal behaviors obtained from two types of emulsions: water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W). All emulsions were prepared using phase inversion emulsification, i.e., a solution for an aqueous phase was added dropwise to an oil phase with constant stirring to obtain an emulsion. Toluene served as a detection component. When using REMPI-TOFMS to measure an emulsion, a time profile for the target component can be constructed by plotting peak areas for the corresponding component on a series of mass spectra. In the case of a W/O emulsion at a water volume fraction (fw) of 0.005, the concentration of toluene was instantaneously decreased due to the existence of water droplets, and therefore, several negative spikes were detected on the time profile while establishing a baseline. In the case of a W/O emulsion at fw = 0.3, negative peaks consisting of several plots appeared on the time profile because of the formation of aggregates of water droplets while the emulsion was flowed through a capillary column for sample introduction. An O/W emulsion at fw = 0.995 was analyzed following phase inversion, and positive peaks were detected due to the aggregates of many oil droplets. In this manner, the direct mass analysis of emulsions before and after phase inversion was achieved, and the resultant signal inversion was confirmed via REMPI-TOFMS.

We report photoelectron circular dichroism of S-(+)-fenchone enantiomers recorded with state-state vibrational level resolution using picosecond laser (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization via 3s and 3p Rydberg intermediate states. The 3p state decays to the 3s state on a picosecond time scale so that, above the 3p Rydberg excitation threshold, ionization of vibrationally hot 3s states competes with direct 3p-1 ionization. Complex vibronic dynamics of the 3p → 3s internal conversion weaken the Rydberg Δv = 0 propensity rule in both the 3p-1 and 3s-1 ionization channels. Large variations of the forward-backward chiral asymmetry factors are observed between the Δv = 0 and Δv > 0 vibrational transitions, including dramatic swings from up to ±17%. Such changes of sign indicate complete reversal of the preferred direction for photoelectron emission in the laboratory frame, associated with vibrational motion. These asymmetry switches easily exceed the amplitude and frequency of such vibrationally induced flips previously observed in single photon ionization.

The creaming behavior of an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion was quantitatively evaluated via resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Styrene O/W emulsions were prepared with initial styrene concentrations of 1 and 4 g/L, and the height at the center of the sample was monitored. A peak area of the molecular ion of styrene was set as the signal intensity, for which a time profile was constructed from a series of mass spectra. As a result, the averaged time profiles showed that the signal intensities increased once and then decreased with the onset of creaming. In addition, in order to fit an experimentally obtained time profile, a modified fit function was proposed. Based on the fit results, the ratios of the increases and decreases in signal intensities were different between the two emulsions-higher in the case of an O/W emulsion with a higher initial oil concentration. On the other hand, the duration of the enhancement of the signal intensity with the onset of creaming was independent of the initial oil concentration. The present method offers the possibility to quantitatively evaluate the creaming behavior of an emulsion without pretreatment, and, therefore, would be useful for confirming the stability and quality assurance of emulsions.

Here, we report on the nonlinear ionization of argon atoms in the short wavelength regime using ultraintense x rays from the European XFEL. After sequential multiphoton ionization, high charge states are obtained. For photon energies that are insufficient to directly ionize a $1s$ electron, a different mechanism is required to obtain ionization to Ar$^{17+}$. We propose this occurs through a two-color process where the second harmonic of the FEL pulse resonantly excites the system via a $1s \rightarrow 2p$ transition followed by ionization by the fundamental FEL pulse, which is a type of x-ray resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). This resonant phenomenon occurs not only for Ar$^{16+}$, but through multiple lower charge states, where multiple ionization competes with decay lifetimes, making x-ray REMPI distinctive from conventional REMPI. With the aid of state-of-the-art theoretical calculations, we explain the effects of x-ray REMPI on the relevant ion yields and spectral profile., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, one supplementary material (not included)

We investigate the potential for sensitively detecting millimeter-wave absorption through multiphoton ionization using the lowest rotational transition in CO (X1Σ, J = 1 ← J = 0) at 115 GHz as a diagnostic tool. This transition represents an almost perfect realization of a quantum mechanical two-level system. In the experiment, the output of a powerful continuous millimeter-wave source with sub-kilohertz resolution propagates counter to a pulsed molecular beam, causing Doppler shifted resonances. Absorption is detected by monitoring the involved rotational levels through resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Observed polarization, saturation and Doppler effects demonstrate that the interaction with the millimeter-wave field is coherent and can be simulated well using the results for the two-level system. The combination of these results indicates that the millimeter-wave field is approximated well by a Gaussian beam with beam waist around 15 mm and constant effective electric field amplitude on the molecular beam axis. Time-correlated frequency modulation in the form of a short rectangular pulse is used to follow the molecular trajectory from the source to the laser interaction region. The experiments clearly demonstrate a great potential of extending high-resolution molecular beam spectroscopy with mass specific REMPI detection into the sub-terahertz or terahertz regimes.

Vibrations of m-bromofluorobenzene (m-BrFPh) in the first excited state (S1) and the cationic ground state (D0) are investigated by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy and slow electron velocity-map imaging (SEVI) spectroscopy, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations have been adopted to assign the observed vibrational bands, as well. The band origin of the S1 ← S0 electronic transition defines the adiabatic excitation energy to be 36,987 ± 4 cm−1 based on the resonance-enhanced one-color two-photon ionization spectrum of m-BrFPh. And adiabatic ionization potential (IP) of 73,903 ± 8 cm−1 is determined from band origin in the SEVI spectra. Meanwhile, the computed frequencies are in excellent agreement with the experimental observations and Franck-Condon simulations are performed to aid us to confidently assign major vibrational modes in S1 and D0 states. And the changes in the wavenumber of the vibrational modes upon S1 ← S0 and D0 ← S1 transitions are examined. Furthermore, the mixing of vibrational modes both between S0 & S1 and between S1 & D0 has been discussed.

A home-made analytical instrument based on thermal desorption gas chromatography coupled to resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC-REMPI-TOFMS) was applied for atline measurement of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene for the prediction of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) concentrations in the stack gas of a municipal solid waste incinerator (400 ton/day). Conventional high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRGC/HRMS) measurements for the determination of PCDD/F concentrations were performed to compare with TD-GC-REMPI-TOFMS measurements. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene correlated with I-TEQ at r = 0.867, 0.953 and 0.944 in unstable, stable and integrated conditions. The correlation was independent of the facility operating conditions observed in this study. Using a linear model to predict I-TEQ by 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene over the test, the average of the relative difference between predicted and measured I-TEQ was 18.9%. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene measured by TD-GC-REMPI-TOFMS can be used as a robust indicator of I-TEQ in stack gas.

The vibrational features of 4-fluorobenzonitrile in the first electronically excited state S1 and cationic ground state D0 have been studied by two-color resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization and mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy. Most of observed vibrations in the S1 and D0 states are related to in-plane ring deformation and CN bending motions. The band origin of the S1 ← S0 transition and adiabatic ionization energy of 4-fluorobenzonitrile are determined to be 36,616 ± 2 and 78,000 ± 5 cm−1, respectively. These data provide insight into the substitution effect of fluorine atom and cyano group on the transition energy.

We report a picosecond time-resolved photoionization and photoelectron spectroscopic study of acenaphthylene, C 12 H 8 in a free jet. The origin for the A 1 B 2 (S 1 ) ← X 1 A 1 (S 0 ) transition is found at 21,757 ± 15 cm −1 , while the one for the B 2 A 1 ← X 1 A 1 transition is observed at 30,076 ± 27 cm −1 . For both transitions vibrational bands are resolved and assigned. For the origin of the S 1 state a lifetime of 380 ps is measured, which decreases with excess energy. Internal conversion to the electronic ground state seems to be the dominant deactivation pathway. For the S 2 state an additional component with a very short lifetime of 1 ps or less is observed. This indicates a two-step deactivation via S 1 to the electronic ground state. A small and unstructured signal in the photoelectron spectra at long delay times suggests the presence of an additional deactivation channel, most likely intersystem crossing.

Indigo is a blue dye molecule that has been used since antiquity, although it is better known today for its use in blue jeans. Indigo has previously been shown to exhibit remarkable photostability due to fast excited state dynamics mediated by an excited state intramolecular proton transfer. Study of this process is complicated by the fact that the photophysics of indigo is very sensitive to the environment. In order to disentangle the intrinsic photodynamics of indigo from the effects contributed by the environment, we studied indigo in a molecular beam using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization. We obtained excited state lifetimes of individual vibronic bands with pump-probe spectroscopy ranging from 60 ps to 24 ns. We have mapped a barrier to relaxation at about 700 cm−1, beyond which fast excited state dynamics dominate. Below this barrier two decay processes compete and mode-specific relaxation occurs with certain vibronic bands near the origin relaxing faster than others, or exhibiting different partitioning between the two relaxation channels. Computational studies at the ADC(2)/MP2/cc-pVDZ level indicate that two low-barrier reaction paths exist in the S1 state of indigo, one corresponding to proton transfer, the other to hydrogen transfer. In both cases the charge distribution changes drastically upon de-excitation. These data provide a sensitive probe of the potential energy landscape, responsible for the response to absorption of light. The results may help in understanding the photostability that preserves the blue color of indigo dyes.

The VUV absorption spectrum of fenchone is re-examined using synchrotron radiation Fourier transform spectrometry, revealing new vibrational structure. Picosecond laser (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy complements this, providing an alternative view of the 3spd Rydberg excitation region. These spectra display broadly similar appearance, with minor differences that are largely explained by referring to calculated one- and two-photon electronic excitation cross-sections. Both show good agreement with Franck-Condon simulations of the relevant vibrational structures. Parent ion REMPI ionization yields with both femtosecond and picosecond excitation laser pulses are studied as a function of laser polarization and intensity, the latter providing insight into the relative two-photon excitation and one-photon ionization rates. The experimental circular-linear dichroism observed in the parent ion yields varies strongly between the 3s and 3p Rydberg states, in good overall agreement with the calculated two-photon excitation circular-linear dichroism, while corroborating other evidence that the 3pz sub-state plays no more than a very minor role in the (2+1) REMPI spectrum. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are recorded with picosecond pulse duration (2+1) REMPI at selected intermediate vibrational excitations. The 3s intermediate state displays a very strong Δv=0 propensity on ionization, but the 3p intermediate evidences more complex vibronic dynamics, and we infer some 3p→3s internal conversion prior to ionization.

Photoelectron angular distributions (PADs), ranging up to the maximum 6th order Legendre polynomial term set by the Yang theorem, have been recorded for the (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of two terpene isomers, 3-carene and α-pinene, employing femtosecond lasers and electron velocity map imaging detection. PAD measurements made with coincident photoion detection allow ion fragmentation effects to be assessed. Using circular polarization and enantiomerically pure samples the PAD measurements are extended to include chiral (odd) Legendre polynomial terms, and these are analysed and discussed as multiphoton photoelectron circular dichroism (MP-PECD). Comparisons are also made with single photon (synchrotron radiation) PECD of these compounds. Although for a given compound a common final cation state is reached, pronounced differences are observed between PECD and MP-PECD, and between the alternative identified REMPI intermediate states in the case of MP-PECD.

15 pags, 11 figs., 3 tabs., Clocking of electronically and vibrationally state-resolved channels of the fast photodissociation of CH3I in the A-band is re-examined in a combined experimental and theoretical study. Experimentally, a femtosecond pump-probe scheme is employed in the modality of resonant probing by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of the methyl fragment in different vibrational states and detection through fragment velocity map ion (VMI) imaging as a function of the time delay. We revisit excitation to the center of the A-band at 268 nm and report new results for excitation to the blue of the band center at 243 nm. Theoretically, two approaches have been employed to shed light into the observations: first, a reduced dimensionality 4D nonadiabatic wavepacket calculation using the potential energy surfaces by Xie et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 104, 1009 (2000)]; and second, a full dimension 9D trajectory surface-hopping calculation on the same potential energy surfaces, including the quantization of vibrational states of the methyl product. In addition, high level ab initio electronic structure calculations have been carried out to describe the CH3 3pz Rydberg state involved in the (2 + 1) REMPI probing process, as a function of the carbon-iodine (C¿I) distance. A general qualitative agreement is obtained between experiment and theory, but the effect of methyl vibrational excitation in the umbrella mode on the clocking times is not well reproduced. The theoretical results reveal that no significant effect on the state-resolved appearance times is exerted by the nonadiabatic crossing through the conical intersection present in the first absorption band. The vibrationally state resolved clocking times observed experimentally can be rationalized when the (2 + 1) REMPI probing process is considered. None of the other probing methods applied thus far, i.e., multiphoton ionization photoelectron spectroscopy, soft X-ray innershell photoelectron spectroscopy, VUV single-photon ionization, and XUV core-to-valence transient absorption spectroscopy, have been able to provide quantum state-resolved (vibrational) clocking times. More experiments would be needed to disentangle the fine details in the clocking times and dissociation dynamics arising from the detection of specific quantum-states of the molecular fragments., M.L.M.-S. acknowledges financial support through a predoctoral contract from Universidad Complutense de Madrid. M.E.C. is grateful to the Spanish MINECO for a contract through Programa de Técnicos de Apoyo a Infraestructuras. This work was financially supported by the Spanish MINECO and MICIU (Grant Nos. CTQ2016-75880-P, FIS2016-77889-R, and PGC2018-096444- B-I00). This research was carried out within the Unidad Asociada Química Física Molecular between the Departamento de Química Física of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and CSIC. The facilities provided by the Center for Ultrasfast Lasers of Universidad Complutense de Madrid are acknowledged.

The photodissociation of the allyl radical (CH2CH–CH2˙) following excitation between 216 and 243 nm has been investigated employing velocity map imaging in conjunction with resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization to detect the hydrogen atom and CH3(ν = 0) produced. The translational energy distributions for the two fragments are reported and analyzed along with the corresponding fragment ion angular distributions. The results are discussed in terms of the different reactions pathways characterizing the hydrogen atom elimination and the minor methyl formation. On one hand, the angular analysis provides evidence of an additional mechanism, not reported before, leading to prompt dissociation and fast hydrogen atoms. On the other hand, the methyl elimination channel has been characterized as a function of the excitation energy and the contribution of three reaction pathways: single 1,3-hydrogen shift, double 1,2-hydrogen shift and through the formation of vinylidene have been discussed. Contrary to previous predictions, the vinylidene channel, which plays a significant role at lower energies, seems to vanish following excitation on the Ẽ2B1(3px) excited state at λ ≤ 230 nm.

Photoionization of the hydrogen atom by intense and short coherent laser pulses is investigated from first principles by a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the dipole-velocity gauge. The considered photon energies are resonant to the 1 s → 2 p excitation, and the pulse intensities are high enough to induce Rabi floppings. The computed resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization spectra as well as the three-photon above threshold ionization spectra exhibit pronounced multiple-peak patterns due to dynamic interference. Fingerprints of dynamic interference can also be seen directly in the radial density of the photoelectron. The impact of the variation of the pulse intensity and photon energy on the dynamic interference is investigated, and the angular distribution of the emitted electrons is analyzed in some details. The present precise numerical results confirm our previous theoretical predictions on the two-photon ionization spectra (Demekhin and Cederbaum, 2012) made within a minimal few-level model.

The photodissociation dynamics of isocyanic acid (HNCO) has been studied by the time-sliced velocity map ion imaging technique at 193 nm. The NH(a1Δ) products were measured via (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization. Images have been accumulated for the NH(a1Δ) rotational states in the ground and vibrational excited state (v=0 and 1). The center-of-mass translational energy distribution derived from the NH(a1Δ) images implies that the CO vibrational distributions are inverted for most of the measured 1NH(v|j) internal states. The anisotropic product angular distribution observed indicates a rapid dissociation process for the N−C bond cleavage. A bimodal rotational state distribution of CO(v) has been observed, this result implies that isocyanic acid dissociates in the S1 state in two different pathways.

The one-laser two-color resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization REMPI [(1 + 1′) + 1] and velocity map imaging have been applied to investigate formation of molecular oxygen in excited singlet O2( a 1 Δ g ) and ground O2( X 3 Σ g - ) states in the photodissociation of van der Waals complex isoprene-oxygen C5H8-O2. These molecules were found to appear in the different rotational states with translational energy varied from a value as low as ∼1 meV to a distribution with temperature of about 940 K. The observed traces of electron recoil in the images of photoions reveal participation of several ionization pathways of the resonantly excited intermediate states of O2.

The key role played by the OH radical as a reactive intermediate motivates advanced methods for state-resolved OH detection. In this work, we take advantage of the wavelength- and bandwidth-tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) pulses produced at the Dalian Coherent Light Source to modify a previously reported 1+1′ UV + VUV Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization scheme [J. M. Beames, F. Liu, M. I. Lester, C. Murray, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 241,102 (2011); J. M. Beames, F. Liu, M. I. Lester, Mol. Phys. 112, 897 (2014)], in which OH in its ground X 2 Π electronic state is first excited to the A 2 Σ + state at around 281 nm, and subsequently ionized by 118 nm VUV radiation via the autoionizing ( A 3 Π , 3 d ) Rydberg state. By tuning the VUV-free electron laser so that its bandwidth covers the entire A3 Π ( v + = 0, 3d) ← A2 Σ + ( v ″ = 1) band, we obtain enhanced sensitivity and accurate relative intensities for quantitative determination of quantum state distributions. The relative line intensities observed in the experiment agree with the simulated absorption intensities to within an error of

Mass resolved resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra of a mixture of DCl and HCl were recorded for two-photon resonance excitation in the region of 80 500–89 500 cm−1. Spectra due to resonance transitions to rovibrational states of number of Rydberg and ion-pair states of DCl, were identified and assigned. Five new spectral bands due to transitions to Rydberg states and eight new bands due to transitions to vibrational states of the ion-pair state were identified and analysed to derive energetic parameters. Irregularities observed in vibrational energy level spacing, rotational constants and isotope shifts of chlorine isotopologues from what to expect for unperturbed states, as well as relative signal intensities, are indicative of strong homogeneous interaction between the E1Σ+ Rydberg state and the V1Σ+ ion-pair state. These observations are found to be due to level-to-level interaction between E and V rovibrational states of same J′ quantum numbers. Comparison of the data for DCl and HCl is performed.

The S(1D2)+CO(X1Σ+) product channel from photodissociation of OCS at 217 nm has been measured using the DC slice velocity map imaging (VMI) technique in combination with resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Two diflerent REMPI intermediate states (1F3 and 1P1) and several pump-probe laser polarization geometries are used to detect the angular momentum polarization of the photofragmented S(1D2). The molecular-frame polarization parameters, as well as the laboratory-frame anisotropy parameters, for individual rotational states of co-fragment CO, are determined using two diflerent full quantum theories. The measured total kinetic energy release spectrum from photodissociation of OCS indicates two dissociation channels, corresponding to the fast and slow recoiling velocities of S(1D2), respectively. The slow channel is concluded to originate from an initial photoexcitation to the A(1A') state, followed by a non-adiabatic transition to the ground state. The fast channel is found to follow a coherent excitation to A(1A') and B(1A') states, where contributions of the two states are almost equal at 217 nm. The determined alignment and anisotropy parameters further indicate that the slow channel follows an incoherent excitation, while the fast channel follows a coherent excitation to A(1A') and B(1A') states with a phase di erence of π/2.

The S1 ← S0 (A ~ 1B2 ← X~ 1A1) electronic transition of para-chlorofluorobenzene has been investigated using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy. Assignment of the vibrational structure has been achieved by comparison with corresponding spectra of related molecules, via quantum chemical calculations, and via shifts in bands between the spectra of the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopologues. In addition, we have also partially reassigned a previously-published spectrum of para-dichlorobenzene.

The real time photodissociation of chloroiodomethane (CH2ICl) in the first absorption band at 268 nm is reported in comparison with the well-known methyl iodide (CH3I) in order to investigate the halogen-atom substituent effect on the time-resolved photodynamics of halomethanes. Femtosecond velocity map imaging measurements in conjunction with resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) to detect the iodine fragments have been performed to obtain translational energy, angular distributions and the photodissociation reaction times. High level ab initio and on-the-fly trajectory calculations have been carried out to rationalize the experimental results in terms of the excited states involved and the dissociation mechanisms.

The photodissociation dynamics of 4-bromo-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine (BTFP) have been studied in a supersonic molecular beam around 234 nm, which prepares the molecule in its ππ* state. The dynamics of the C Br bond dissociation have been investigated using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometer (REMPI-TOFMS) by detecting the nascent spin orbit states of the primary bromine atoms, namely, Br (2P3/2) and Br*(2P1/2). State specific polarization dependent TOF profiles were obtained, from which the translational energy distributions and recoil anisotropy parameters, βi, were extracted using forward convolution method. A strong polarization dependence of TOF profiles suggests anisotropic distributions of the Br and Br* fragments. Two components, namely, the fast and the slow, are observed in the translational energy distribution of Br and Br* atoms, formed from different potential energy surfaces. The average translational energies released into the Br and Br* channels for the fast component are 17.3 ± 2.0 and 11.1 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Similarly, for the slow component, the average translational energies imparted into the Br and Br* channels are 2.6 ± 1.0 and 1.5 ± 1.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The relative quantum yields of Br and Br* are 0.87 ± 0.15 and 0.13 ± 0.06. The anisotropy parameters for Br and Br* are characterized by a similar value of 0.60 ± 0.05. The energy partitioning into the translational modes is interpreted with the help of various models. The experimental studies revealing the nature of translational energies distribution for Br and Br* and its average value along with the theoretical calculations employing Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) and Multi Configuration Quasi Degenerate second order Perturbation Theory (MCQDPT2) suggest that the initially prepared ππ* state crosses over to a nearby σ* repulsive state along the C Br bond, mainly, πσ* state from where the dissociation takes place. The results also indicate the process of fast internal conversion to ground state from the initially prepared ππ* state, which eventually forms slow Br atoms after C-Br bond dissociation process on the ground state. During the course of experiments, the absorption spectrum was also obtained with its absolute absorption cross section. Non-adiabatic curve crossing plays an important role in the C Br bond dissociation of BTFP.

By means of time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometry, multi-photon ionization dissociation kinetics is employed in the paper to study carbon disulfide molecules within the wavelength of 283-289 nm under supersonic jet condition.The analysis of result achieved in TOF mass spectrometry and sub-excitation spectrum shows that the primary process of multi-photon dissociation and ionization of carbon disulfide molecules within the wavelength of 283-289 nm is that in the process of resonance ionization, when carbon disulfide molecules reached the Rydberg state by absorbing two photons,most of them absorbed one photon to ionze the parent molecule,while a small part of them pre-dissoctated to the neutal fragments CS and S.CS2 ions are mainly generated from (2 + 1)REMP(Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization) and non-resonatnt ionization of three photons.S + and CS + are mainly from the parent ion’s photodissociation.

The spectroscopic and dynamic properties of the lower electronically excited states of 1,8-naphthalic anhydride and 1,8-naphthalimide have been studied in supersonically cooled molecular beams using nanosecond Resonance Enhanced MultiPhoton Ionization (REMPI) spectroscopic techniques in combination with quantum chemical calculations. The excitation spectra of these compounds show near - and even below - the apparent 0-0 transition to a strongly allowed electronic state, previously assigned as the S1(21A1(ππ*)) state, a plethora of vibronic transitions that cannot simply be rationalized in terms of the Franck-Condon vibronic activity of that particular state. Instead, it is shown that the 1B1(nπ*) state, which was previously reported to be S3 for vertical excitation, is adiabatically the lowest excited singlet state. Interactions between this 'dark' state and the 'bright' 21A1(ππ*) state lead to intensity borrowing of transitions to 'dark' state levels that thus show up in the excitation spectra. A complicating factor is that, apart from the coupling of these two singlet states, a relatively strong spin-orbit coupling between the 21A1(ππ*) and 3B1(nπ*) states is also present. We show that the latter state has a slightly higher adiabatic excitation energy than the former state in 1,8-naphthalic anhydride but lies energetically below the 21A1(ππ*) state in 1,8-naphthalimide. Concurrently, we find that the decay dynamics of the excited states of 1,8-naphthalimide are entirely dominated by intersystem crossing, while in 1,8-naphthalic anhydride both internal conversion to the ground state and intersystem crossing occur, albeit the former loses importance once the excitation energy exceeds that of the 3B1(nπ*) state.

Pathways for formation of C+ and O+ ions when applying (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of CO via the B1Σ+ and E1Π electronic states are characterized with the velocity map imaging technique. By employing an unskimmed pulsed valve, it was possible to obtain sharp images for a wide range of initial CO J-states. Most of the atomic ion production pathways could be assigned as one- or two-photon dissociation of a series of vibrational levels of the CO+ X2Σ+ and A2Π states. Large enhancements in dissociation of particular CO+ vibrational states in these progressions could be accurately assigned to accidental resonances of the REMPI laser with CO+ X2Σ+-B2Σ+ transitions.

Atomic Si was produced in a pulsed high-voltage discharge jet expansion of a gaseous mixture of tetramethylsilane in helium. Its atomic transitions were characterized by a single color (1 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) technique in the one-photon energy range of 38 466–46 075 cm−1. Based on the mass analysis of the discharge species using vacuum ultraviolet laser single-photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which provides a means to characterize the species produced by the discharge source, various species including atomic Si, silicon hydrides (SiHa, a = 0–3), hydrogenated silicon carbides (SixCyHz), and hydrocarbon species (CmHn) were generated in the pulsed high-voltage discharge jet expansion of tetramethylsilane. The REMPI spectroscopic characterization of the mass-selected species with 28 amu showed a total of 26 lines, all of which were assigned to the electronic transitions of neutral Si atoms. 10 out of the 26 lines were from spin-forbidden transitions. Among them are two “new” lines that were not listed in the M.I.T. Wavelength Tables or NIST Atomic Spectra Database. They were observed with good signal intensity at 43 551.76 cm−1 (XVIII) and 44 201.34 cm−1 (XX) and assigned to 3s23p3d[3F02] ← 3s23p2[1D2] and 3s23p3d[3P02] ← 3s23p2[1D2] transitions, respectively. In addition, 3 lines observed at 38 790.14 cm−1 (I), 41 306.00 cm−1 (XVI), and 43 634.78 cm−1 (XIX), that had been previously reported in the literature, but with no assignment, were assigned to the spin-forbidden transitions of 3s23p3d[3D01] ← 3s23p2[1S0], 3s23p4d[3P01] ← 3s23p2[1S0] and 3s23p3d[3F03] ← 3s23p2[1D2], respectively. The use of a pulsed high-voltage electric discharge jet coupled with mass-selective REMPI has been shown as a sensitive and powerful technique to generate a rich variety of atomic and molecular species and to probe their electronic transitions with increased sensitivity.

UV spectroscopy and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments on supersonic-beam-cooled deuterated (R)-(+)-3-methylcyclopentanone ([D4 ]-(R)-(+)-3-MCP) have been performed by using a laser mass spectrometer. The spectral resolution not only allowed excitation and CD measurements for single vibronic transitions but also for the rotational P, Q, and R branches of these transitions. The investigated n→π*18042501 transition showed the largest anisotropy factor ever observed for chiral molecules in the gas phase, which, due to residual saturation of the excited transition, represents only a lower limit for the real anisotropy factor. Furthermore, one-color (1+1+1) and two-color (1+1') resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) measurements were performed and the effusive-beam (room temperature) and supersonic-beam results for [D4 ]-(R)-(+)-3-MCP were compared. These results allowed a differentiation between single-step ECD (comparable to conventional ECD) and cumulative ECD (only possible in multiphoton excitation) under supersonic-beam conditions.

The theory of density matrix equation is used to describe the interaction between laser field and atoms or molecules (referred as particles). With this theory, this paper investigated the influence of Doppler effect on the resonance absorption in the process of resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of particles. The results show that at the beginning of laser radiation, Doppler effect will broaden the absorption line. This is generally known as Doppler broadening. After laser radiates for a period of time, light transparency will appear at the position of near zero resonance detuning. This is caused by AC Stark splitting. Thus this phenomenon appears only when Rabi frequency is large enough. Doppler effect can make light transparency disappear, because the gap between the two peaks beside of transparent window is smaller than the line-width of Doppler broadening. It will also enlarge the Rabi frequency for transparency.

Photofragment imaging is shown to provide a sensitive method for detection of the O2 A'3Δu Herzberg III state using a one-laser dissociation/O(1D) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) scheme with a focused nanosecond dye laser beam tuned to 203.8 or 205.2 nm, combined with velocity map imaging of the atomic oxygen photofragment. O2 populated in the Herzberg states is generated by photodesorption at 250 nm of solid O2 ice held at 15 K and by an electric discharge in a pulsed molecular beam of pure O2. Ice photo-desorption results in Herzberg state products with higher translational, vibrational and rotational energy spreads, yielding the same signal as the discharge source but with lower velocity resolution. A clear signal with parallel character (β ∼ 0.9) assigned to dissociation of O2 A'3Δu(v = 0, 1 Ω = 1) was observed when using a pulsed electric discharge source under specific 'cold' conditions with O(1D) detection, driving one-photon dissociation around 205 nm. No products corresponding to O2 A'3Δu state dissociation were observed for 225.625 or 200.32 nm dissociation with O(3P2) detection, which implies that the O2 A'3Δu state dissociates exclusively to the third (O1D + O1D) dissociation limit. Dissociation is suggested to take place through the 21Πg upper state to the O1D + O1D limit where spin-orbit coupling of the A'3Δu state with the 11Πu state accesses the allowed parallel 1Πu → 1Πg transition. While the absence of a parallel-type photodissociation signal from the c1Σ-u state may be expected, the A3Σ+u should spin-orbit couple through the same pathway as the A'3Δu state. The fact that no clear A3Σ+u signal is observed suggests a faster deactivation process compared to the A'3Δu state in the discharge and ice desorption process.

The photodissociation dynamics and stereodynamics of ethyl iodide from the origin of the second absorption B-band have been investigated combining pulsed slicFe imaging with resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection of all fragments, I(2P3/2), I*(2P1/2) and C2H5. The I*(2P1/2) atom action spectrum recorded as a function of the excitation wavelength permits one to identify and select the 000 origin of this band at 201.19 nm (49 704 cm−1). Translational energy distributions and angular distributions for all fragments and semiclassical Dixon's bipolar moments for the C2H5 fragment are presented and discussed along with high-level ab initio calculations of potential energy curves as a function of the C–I distance. A predissociative mechanism governs the dynamics where in a first step a bound Rydberg state corresponding to the 5pπI → 6sI transition is populated by the 201.19 nm-photon absorption. A curve crossing with a repulsive state located within the Franck–Condon geometry leads to direct dissociation into the major channel C2H5 + I*(2P1/2). A small amount of I(2P3/2) atoms is nevertheless observed and presumably attributed to a second curve crossing with a repulsive state from the A-band.

Resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) is a powerful method for the sensitive determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gaseous mixtures via mass spectrometry (MS). In REMPI, ions are produced by the absorption of at least two photons including defined electronic intermediate states. As a result&mdash, unlike other laser-based ionization techniques&mdash, spectroscopic selectivity is involved into the ionization process. Nevertheless, these wavelength-dependent ionization rates impede the quantification using REMPI. For this purpose, relative photoionization cross sections (relPICS) give an easy-to-use approach to quantify REMPI-MS measurements. Hereby, the ionization behavior of a single compound was compared to that of a reference substance of a given concentration. In this study, relPICS of selected single-core aromatics and PAHs at wavelengths of 266 nm and 248 nm were determined using two different time-of-flight mass spectrometric systems (TOFMS). For PAHs, relPICS were obtained which showed a strong dependence on the applied laser intensity. In contrast, for single-core aromatics, constant values of relPICS were determined. Deviations of relPICS between both TOFMS systems were found for small aromatics (e.g., benzene), which can be assigned to the differences in UV generation in the particular system. However, the relPICS of this study were found to be in good agreement with previous results and can be used for system-independent quantification.

Mass resolved REMPI data was recorded for jet cooled HI(g) for two-photon excitation in the region of 74 200 – 80 300 cm−1. REMPI spectra of the ions (HI+, I+ and H+) were derived from the data. The spectra revealed dense and overlapping rotational peak structure due to two-photon resonant transitions to number of Rydberg and ion-pair molecular vibrational states as well as iodine atom (2 + 1) REMPI peaks. A total of 16 Rydberg state spectra and 9 ion-pair state spectra were identified and simulated to derive spectroscopic constants (band origin (ν0) and 1st and 2nd order rotational constants (B′, D′)) for the excited states. Further analysis of the results for the Rydberg states and inspection of the spectral structure allowed more thorough characterization of the states as well as reassignment of some previously reported spectra. Detailed quantum defect analyses were particularly useful in that respect. The states could be specified by term symbols, ion core symmetries, Rydberg electron principal quantum numbers and configurations as well as vibrational quantum numbers. An attempt was made to assign the ion-pair spectra to vibrational quantum numbers. Relevant results on Rydberg and ion-pair states of HI, from the literature are summarized in the paper.

The photodissociation dynamics of halogen substituted pyridines, namely, 3-chloropyridine (ClPy) and 3-chloro-2,4,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine (ClFPy), has been studied around 235 nm by detecting chlorine atoms in their spin orbit states Cl( 2 P 3/2 ) and Cl ∗ ( 2 P 1/2 ) using the REMPI-TOF technique. We have determined the translational energy distribution, the recoil anisotropy parameter, β , and the spin–orbit branching ratio, for chlorine atom elimination channels. The TOF profiles for Cl and Cl ∗ are found to be independent of laser polarization suggesting a zero value for β , within the experimental uncertainties. For 3-chloropyridine, the average translational energies for Cl and Cl ∗ elimination channels are determined to be 3.7 ± 1.0 and 7.0 ± 1.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Similarly, for 3-chloro-2,4,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine, the average translational energies for Cl and Cl ∗ elimination channels are determined to be 8.0 ± 1.5 and 9.0 ± 1.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The theoretical calculation suggests that the fluorine substitution increases the possibility of cross over to the π – σ ∗ state from the initially prepared π – π ∗ state.

In one colour experiment, the photodissociation dynamics of halogen substituted thiadiazole, namely, 3,4-dichloro-1,2,5-thiadiazole, has been studied in a supersonic molecular beam around 235 nm, which prepares the molecules in its π–π* state. The study is conducted using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) time-of-flight (TOF) technique, by detecting the nascent state of the primary chlorine atoms in their spin orbit states Cl(2P3/2) and Cl*(2P1/2). We have determined the translational energy distribution, the recoil anisotropy parameter, β, and the spin–orbit branching ratio, for chlorine atom elimination channels. State-specific TOF profiles are converted into kinetic energy distributions, using a least squares fitting method, taking into account the fragment anisotropies, βi. The TOF profiles for Cl and Cl* are found to be independent of laser polarization, i.e., the β is well characterized by a value of ∼0.0, within the experimental uncertainties. The translational energy distributions is well explained with only one component for both Cl and Cl* atom elimination channel. The average translational energies for Cl and Cl* channel are 5.2 ± 1.5 and 7.9 ± 1.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The energy partitioning into the translational modes is interpreted with the help of various models, such as impulsive and statistical models. The experimental studies revealing the nature of translational energies distribution for Cl and Cl* and its average value along with the theoretical calculations employing Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) and ab initio molecular orbital (MO) theory suggest that the initially prepared π–π* state crosses over to a nearby σ* repulsive state along the C Cl bond, from where the dissociation takes place. The results also indicates the role of fast internal conversion to ground state from the initially prepared π–π* state, from where various dissociation channels occurs. During the course of experiments, the absorption spectrum was also obtained with its absolute absorption cross section.

We present a 1 + 1' resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) scheme for acetylene via the linear G̃ 4sσ (1)Πu Rydberg state, offering partial rotational resolution and the possibility to detect excitation in both the cis- and trans-bending modes. The resonant transition to the G̃ state is driven by a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon, generated by resonant four-wave mixing (FWM) in krypton. Ionization from the short-lived G̃ state then occurs quickly, driven by the high intensity of the residual light from the FWM process. We have observed nine bands in the region between 79 200 cm(-1) and 80 500 cm(-1) in C2H2 and C2D2. We compare our results with published spectra in this region and suggest alternative assignments for some of the Renner-Teller split bands. Similar REMPI schemes should be applicable to other small molecules with picosecond lifetime Rydberg states.

The absorptive and dispersive properties in the process of resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization are investigated theoretically. It is shown that resonance absorption presents the character of transparency at the position of near resonance frequency, and a weak anomalous dispersion appears at the same time. Both transparent depth and the dispersion increase with the reduction of ionization ability. The phenomenon of transparency and weakened dispersion will emerge also when Rabi frequency is larger than 2 GHz, but the dispersive phenomenon will disappear if Rabi frequency is large enough. Thus we can realize complex light propagate with the same speed.

Recent experiments on multiple filamentation of sub-picosecond terawatt-level KrF laser pulse in air and multi-photon ionization of air revealed an extremely low electron density in filaments, which is out of the conventional filamentation model considering Kerr self-focusing and plasma de-focusing. We propose here the coherent resonant scattering and ionization processes at the pulse durations significantly less than the polarization relaxation time to be possible explanation of the observed filamentation peculiarities. Namely, we argue that the plasma production results from the resonance enhanced (2+1)-photon ionization of the oxygen molecules through the two-photon excitation of the 3s metastable Rydberg state. Coherent Raman self-scattering at rotational transitions of nitrogen molecules provides self-induced focusing of the ultrashort UV laser pulse and filament formation.

Analysis of mass resolved spectra as well as velocity map images derived from resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of HBr via resonance excitations to mixed Rydberg (6pπ 3Σ−(v′ = 0)) and valence (ion-pair) (V 1Σ+(v′ = m + 17)) states allows characterization of the effect of a triplet-to-singlet state interaction on further photoexcitation and photoionization processes. The analysis makes use of rotational spectra line shifts, line intensity alterations, kinetic energy release spectra as well as angular distributions. Energy-level-dependent state mixing of the resonance excited states is quantified and photoexcitation processes, leading to H+ formation, are characterized in terms of the states and fragmentation processes involved, depending on the state mixing.

We investigate the A-band photodissociation of CHBrCl2 at 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, and 265 nm. Following C–Br bond cleavage, resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization and time of flight mass spectrometry provide selective detection of the two product channels, from which we quantify the relative quantum yield of Br/Br* production. Velocity-map imaging of the photofragments allows us to determine the energy partitioning as a function of the photolysis energy for different exit channels. The anisotropy present in the imaging data suggests that absorption to the 3Q0+(A′) state is important throughout the entire region we study, though competition with other excited states is evident. The 3Q0+(A′) state forms an avoided crossing with the 1Q1(A′) state, and we find that the propensity for adiabatic passage through this crossing region dictates the Br yield at longer wavelengths. At shorter wavelengths, Br production from excited states not subject to the crossing is more evident. While we find that spin–orbit excitation comes largely at the expense of the CHCl2 internal energy, both channels still produce highly excited CHCl2 photofragments. Impulsive modeling and comparison with similar halomethane dissociations suggests that a high degree of rotational excitation is present, dictated by the torque inherent in Cs-symmetry dissociation and the angular dependence of the potential.

Resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy have been applied in order to investigate the vibrational structure of 1,2-dichloro-4-fluorobenzene (1,2,4-DCFB) in its first excited state (S1) and the cationic ground state (D0). The selection of the state prior to ionization resulted in MATI spectra with different intensity distributions thus giving access to many vibrational levels. To support the experimental findings, geometry optimizations and frequency analyses at DFT (density functional) and TDDFT (time-dependent density functional) levels of theory have been applied. Additionally, a multidimensional Franck–Condon approach has been used to calculate the vibrational intensities from the DFT calculations. An excellent agreement between simulated and measured REMPI and MATI spectra allowed for a confident assignment of vibrational levels and mechanisms active during excitation and ionization. In order to avoid any ambiguity regarding the assignment of the vibrational bands to normal modes, Duschinsky normal mode analysis has been performed to correlate the ground state (S0) normal modes of 1,2,4-DCFB with the benzene derived Wilson nomenclature. From the REMPI spectra the electronic excitation energy (EE) of 1,2-dichloro-4-fluorobenzene could be determined to be 35 714 ± 2 cm−1 while the MATI spectra yielded the adiabatic ionization energy (IE) of 1,2-dichloro-4-fluorobenzene which could be determined to be 73 332 ± 7 cm−1.

The formaldehyde molecule is an important model system for understanding dynamical processes in small polyatomic molecules. However, prior to this work, there have been no reports of a resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection scheme for formaldehyde suitable for rovibrationally state-selective detection in molecular beam scattering experiments. Previously reported tunable REMPI schemes are either non-rotationally resolved, involve multiple resonant steps, or involve many-photon ionization steps. In the current work, we present a new 1 + 1' REMPI scheme for formaldehyde. The first photon is tunable and provides rotational resolution via the vibronically allowed à (1)A2 ← X[combining tilde] (1)A1 transition. Molecules are then directly ionized from the à state by one photon of 157 nm. The results indicate that the ionization cross section from the 4(1) vibrational level of the à state is independent of the rotational level used as intermediate, to within experimental uncertainty. The 1 + 1' REMPI intensities are therefore directly proportional to the à ← X[combining tilde] absorption intensities and can be used for quantitative measurement of X[combining tilde]-state population distributions. peerReviewed

A joint theoretical and experimental study of state-to-state rotationally inelastic polarization dependent differential cross sections (PDDCSs) for CO (v = 0, j = 0, 1, 2) molecules colliding with helium is reported for collision energies of 513 and 840 cm(-1). In a crossed molecular beam experiment, velocity map imaging (VMI) with state-selective detection by (2 + 1) and (1 + 1') resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) is used to probe rotational excitation of CO due to scattering. By taking account of the known fractions of the j = 0, 1, and 2 states of CO in the rotationally cold molecular beam (Trot ≈ 3 K), close-coupling theory based on high-quality ab initio potential energy surfaces for the CO-He interaction is used to simulate the differential cross sections for the mixed initial states. With polarization-sensitive 1 + 1' REMPI detection and a direct analysis procedure described by Suits et al. ( J. Phys, Chem. A 2015 , 119 , 5925 ), alignment moments are extracted from the images and the latter are compared with images simulated by theory using the calculated DCS and alignment moments. In general, good agreement of theory with the experimental results is found, indicating the reliability of the experiment in reproducing state-to-state differential and polarization-dependent differential cross sections.