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Bichromatic polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses are used to control three-dimensional photoelectron momentum distributions (3D-EDs) from resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization of potassium atoms. The light fields consisting of two spectral bands with different ellipticity are produced using an ultrafast polarization pulse shaper equipped with a custom polarizer in the Fourier plane. The tomographically reconstructed 3D-EDs from ionization with counterrotating circularly or orthogonal linearly polarized bichromatic laser pulses show different angular momentum superposition states at four distinct photoelectron energies. The analysis of the measured 3D-EDs reveals that the underlying physical mechanism is based on the interplay of ionization pathway selection via quantum mechanical selection rules for optical transitions and intrapulse frequency mixing of the spectral bands with different ellipticity.

Seventy-seven EPA priority environmental pollutants were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with an optimized atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) and an atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI) interface with and without dopants. The analyzed compounds included e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro compounds, halogenated compounds, aromatic compounds with phenolic, acidic, alcohol, and amino groups, phthalate and adipatic esters, and aliphatic ethers. Toluene, anisole, chlorobenzene, and acetone were tested as dopants. The widest range of analytes was ionized using direct APPI (66/77 compounds). The introduction of dopants decreased the amount of compounds ionized in APPI (e.g., 54/77 with toluene), but in many cases the ionization efficiency increased. While in direct APPI the formation of molecular ions via photoionization was the main ionization reaction, dopant-assisted (DA) APPI promoted ionization reactions, such as charge exchange and proton transfer. Direct APLI ionized a much smaller amount of compounds than APPI (41/77 compounds), showing selectivity towards compounds with low ionization energies (IEs) and long-lived resonantly excited intermediate states. DA-APLI, however, was able to ionize a higher amount of compounds (e.g. 51/77 with toluene), as the ionization took place entirely through dopant-assisted ion/molecule reactions similar to those in DA-APPI. Best ionization efficiency in APPI and APLI (both direct and DA) was obtained for PAHs and aromatics with O- and N-functionalities, whereas nitro compounds and aliphatic ethers were the most difficult to ionize. Halogenated aromatics and esters were (mainly) ionized in APPI, but not in APLI. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel analytical system for gas-chromatographic investigation of complex samples has been developed, that combines the advantages of several analytical principles to enhance the analytical information. Decomposition of high molecular weight structures is achieved by pyrolysis and a high separation capacity due to the chromatographic step provides both an universal as well as a selective and sensitive substance detection. The latter is achieved by simultaneously applying electron ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry (EI-QMS) for structural elucidation and [1 + 1]-resonance-enhanced-multi-photon ionization (REMPI) combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ToFMS). The system has been evaluated and tested with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) standards. It was applied to crude oil samples for the first time. In such highly complex samples several thousands of compounds are present and the identification especially of low concentrated chemical species such as PAH or their polycyclic aromatic sulfur containing heterocyclic (PASH) derivatives is often difficult. Detection of unalkylated and alkylated PAH together with PASH is considerably enhanced by REMPI–ToFMS, at times revealing aromatic structures which are not observable by EI-QMS due to their low abundance. On the other hand, the databased structure proposals of the EI-QMS analysis are needed to confirm structural information and isomers distinction. The technique allows a complex structure analysis as well as selective assessment of aromatic substances in one measurement. Information about the content of sulfur containing compounds plays a significant role for the increase of efficiency in the processing of petroleum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The spectrum of electronic states at 30000–33000cm−1 in hafnium fluoride has been studied using (1+1) resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI) and () REMPI. Six and ten vibronic bands have been characterized. We report the molecular constants for these bands and estimate the electronic energies of the excited states using a correction derived from the observed isotope shifts. When either of two closely spaced electronic states is used as an intermediate state to access autoionizing Rydberg levels, qualitatively distinct autoionization spectra are observed. The intermediate state-specificity of the autoionization spectra bodes well for the possibility of using a selected state as an intermediate state to create ionic HfF+ in various selected quantum states, an important requirement for our electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) search in HfF+. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Exhaust emissions from a diesel vehicle were studied using FTIR, SMCA-REMPI, and SMPS. With these techniques, quantitative emission properties of NO, NO2, N2O, NH3, CO, CH4, C2H4, C3H6, HCHO, toluene, toluene+CH2, toluene+2CH2, β-methylstyrene, naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, and o-cresol, as well as particle size distributions, were obtained in constant-speed operation at 0–80km/h, which corresponds to a brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 0–293kPa. NO emission increased as the in-cylinder temperature increased, corresponding to increased engine load. NO2 and N2O had a strong correlation to equivalence ratio. The emission characteristics of non-aromatic hydrocarbons depended on engine load. At low load, the emissions were high because low in-cylinder temperature and Exhaust Gas Recycling (EGR) prevented complete fuel oxidation. Equivalence ratio had a slight influence on the non-aromatic hydrocarbon emissions. The profiles of aromatic hydrocarbon exhibited two shapes. One was a toluene group and another was a styrene and naphthalene group. The shapes of the toluene group were similar to those of non-aromatic hydrocarbons. On the other hand, the styrene and naphthalene group emissions at idling were low, suggesting that they were not formed at low load. These features concerning the two groups of aromatic hydrocarbons were also observed in a transient driving cycle. Emission of accumulation mode particles was correlated with equivalence ratio. Higher emissions were observed when the equivalence ratio was higher, and the particle diameters also increased. Emission of nucleation mode particles increased as the engine load increased, because the amount of injected fuel per cycle increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]