Photoinduced formation of N2 molecules in ammonium compounds.
Via fluorescence yield (FY) and resonant inelastic scattering spectroscopy in the soft X-ray range we find that soft X-rays induce formation of N2 molecules in solid NH4Cl and in related compounds. The nitrogen molecules form weak bonds in NH4Cl, so that a substantial fraction of the molecules remains in the sample. From measurements of the FY as a function of exposure and temperature, the rates for the photochemical processes are estimated. At elevated temperatures (363 K), several nitrogen atoms are removed from the sample per incoming photon. At lower temperatures (233 K), the rate is reduced to around 0.02 nitrogen atoms for each incoming photon. Virtually all these atoms form N2 molecules which are bound in the sample. The generality and implications of these results are briefly discussed.
Aziz
Emad F
EF
BESSY, Albert-Einstein Str. 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany. emad@bessy.de
Gråsjö
Johan
J
Forsberg
Johan
J
Andersson
Egil
E
Söderström
Johan
J
Duda
Laurent
L
Zhang
Wenhua
W
Yang
Jinglong
J
Eisebitt
Stefan
S
Bergström
Christel
C
Luo
Yi
Y
Nordgren
Joseph
J
Eberhardt
Wolfgang
W
Rubensson
Jan-Erik
JE
D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods; D003460:Crystallization; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D014965:X-Rays
D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D006859:Hydrogen; D009584:Nitrogen