title: Electronic spectroscopy of UO(2)Cl(2) isolated in solid Ar.
abstract: Laser-induced fluorescence spectra have been recorded for uranyl chloride isolated in a solid Ar matrix. Pulsed excitation was examined using a XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) and a dye laser operating in the 19500-27500 cm-1 range. Several absorption and emission band systems were observed. The emission spectra were characterized by a nearly harmonic vibrational progression with a frequency of 840 cm-1 starting at 20323 cm-1. The electronic absorption spectra were dominated by five harmonic vibrational progressions with frequencies of approximately 710 cm-1. Comparisons with theoretical calculations indicate that all of the transitions observed were associated with the UO2+2 subunit. They involved the promotion of an electron from a bonding orbital to the metal-centered 5f(delta) and 5f(phi) orbitals. Band origins and vibrational constants for five excited states were obtained. Fluorescence was observed from the lowest-energy excited state alone, regardless of the excitation wavelength. The decay curve was found to be biexponential, with characteristic decay lifetimes of 50 and 260 micros.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gondalia
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Heaven