José Paulo Santos

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The most important processes for the creation of S12+ to S14+ ions excited states from the ground configurations of S9+ to S14+ ions in an electron cyclotron resonance ion source, leading to the emission of K x-ray lines, are studied. Theoretical values for inner-shell excitation and ionization cross sections, including double-KL and triple-KLL ionizations, transition probabilities and energies for the de-excitation processes, are calculated in the framework of the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method. With reasonable assumptions about the electron energy distribution, a theoretical Kalpha x-ray spectrum is obtained, which is compared to recent experimental data.

The theory of domain decomposition is described and used to divide the variable domain of a diatomic molecule into separate regions which are solved independently. This approach makes it possible to use fast Krylov methods in the broad interior of the region while using explicit methods such as Gaussian elimination on the boundaries. As is demonstrated by solving a number of model problems, these methods enable one to obtain solutions of the relevant partial differential equations and eigenvalue equations accurate to six significant figures with a small amount of computational time. Since the numerical approach described in this article decomposes the variable space into separate regions where the equations are solved independently, our approach is very well-suited to parallel computing and offers the long term possibility of studying complex molecules by dividing them into smaller fragments that are calculated separately.

In this paper we review the different relativistic and QED contributions to energies, ionic radii, transition probabilities and Landé g-factors in super-heavy elements, with the help of the MultiConfiguration Dirac-Fock method (MCDF). The effects of taking into account the Breit interaction to all orders by including it in the self-consistent field process are demonstrated. State of the art radiative corrections are included in the calculation and discussed. We also study the non-relativistic limit of MCDF calculation and find that the non-relativistic offset can be unexpectedly large.

In this paper we review the different relativistic and QED contributions to energies, ionic radii, transition probabilities and Landé g-factors in super-heavy elements, with the help of the MultiConfiguration Dirac-Fock method (MCDF). The effects of taking into account the Breit interaction to all orders by including it in the self-consistent field process are demonstrated. State of the art radiative corrections are included in the calculation and discussed. We also study the non-relativistic limit of MCDF calculation and find that the non-relativistic offset can be unexpectedly large.Topical Issue on the Atomic Properties of the Heaviest Elements

The thermal decompositions of methyl azidoformate (N3COOMe), ethyl azidoformate (N3COOEt) and 2-azido-N,N-dimethylacetamide (N3CH2CONMe2) have been studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and real-time ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. N2 appears as an initial pyrolysis product in all systems, and the principal interest lies in the fate of the accompanying organic fragment. For methyl azidoformate, four accompanying products were observed: HNCO, H2CO, CH2NH and CO2, and these are believed to arise as a result of two competing decomposition routes of a four-membered cyclic intermediate. Ethyl azidoformate pyrolysis yields four corresponding products: HNCO, MeCHO, MeCHNH and CO2, together with the five-membered-ring compound 2-oxazolidone. In contrast, the initial pyrolysis of 2-azido-N,N-dimethyl acetamide, yields the novel imine intermediate Me2NCOCHNH, which subsequently decomposes into dimethyl formamide (HCONMe2), CO, Me2NH and HCN. This intermediate was detected by matrix isolation IR spectroscopy, and its identity confirmed both by a molecular orbital calculation of its IR spectrum, and by the temperature dependence and distribution of products in the PES and IR studies. Mechanisms are proposed for the formation and decomposition of all the products observed in these three systems, based on the experimental evidence and the results of supporting molecular orbital calculations.

The thermal decompositions of methyl azidoformate (N3COOMe), ethyl azidoformate (N3COOEt) and 2-azido-N,N-dimethylacetamide (N3CH2CONMe2) have been studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and real-time ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. N2 appears as an initial pyrolysis product in all systems, and the principal interest lies in the fate of the accompanying organic fragment. For methyl azidoformate, four accompanying products were observed: HNCO, H2CO, CH2NH and CO2, and these are believed to arise as a result of two competing decomposition routes of a four-membered cyclic intermediate. Ethyl azidoformate pyrolysis yields four corresponding products: HNCO, MeCHO, MeCHNH and CO2, together with the five-membered-ring compound 2-oxazolidone. In contrast, the initial pyrolysis of 2-azido-N,N-dimethyl acetamide, yields the novel imine intermediate Me2NCOCHNH, which subsequently decomposes into dimethyl formamide (HCONMe2), CO, Me2NH and HCN. This intermediate was detected by matrix isolation IR spectroscopy, and its identity confirmed both by a molecular orbital calculation of its IR spectrum, and by the temperature dependence and distribution of products in the PES and IR studies. Mechanisms are proposed for the formation and decomposition of all the products observed in these three systems, based on the experimental evidence and the results of supporting molecular orbital calculations.

The QED contribution to the energies of the circular (n, = n–1), 2n13, transitions have been calculated for several kaonic atoms throughout the periodic table, using the current world-average kaon mass. Calculations were done in the framework of the Klein-Gordon equation, with finite nuclear size, finite particle size, and all-order Uelhing vacuum polarization corrections, as well as Källén and Sabry and Wichmann and Kroll corrections. These energy level values are compared with other computed values. The circular transition energies are compared with available measured and theoretical transition energies. Electron screening is evaluated using a Dirac-Fock model for the electronic part of the wave function. The effect of electronic wave-function correlation is evaluated.Exo

The QED contribution to the energies of the circular (n, = n–1), 2n13, transitions have been calculated for several kaonic atoms throughout the periodic table, using the current world-average kaon mass. Calculations were done in the framework of the Klein-Gordon equation, with finite nuclear size, finite particle size, and all-order Uelhing vacuum polarization corrections, as well as Källén and Sabry and Wichmann and Kroll corrections. These energy level values are compared with other computed values. The circular transition energies are compared with available measured and theoretical transition energies. Electron screening is evaluated using a Dirac-Fock model for the electronic part of the wave function. The effect of electronic wave-function correlation is evaluated.

Energies of the circular (n, ℓ = n − 1) 1 less-than-or-equals, slant n less-than-or-equals, slant 20 levels have been calculated for hydrogenlike sigmonic atoms with 1 less-than-or-equals, slant Z less-than-or-equals, slant 92, using the current world average sigma mass, as well as the electronic shift in Σ− + Ne e− + nucleus systems, where Ne stands for the number of electrons. The electronic influence on sigmonic orbitals has also been investigated through the computation of the hyperfine structure and the anomalous Σ− magnetic moment effects in sigmonic Be 2p states.

Energies of the circular (n, ℓ = n − 1) 1 less-than-or-equals, slant n less-than-or-equals, slant 20 levels have been calculated for hydrogenlike sigmonic atoms with 1 less-than-or-equals, slant Z less-than-or-equals, slant 92, using the current world average sigma mass, as well as the electronic shift in Σ− + Ne e− + nucleus systems, where Ne stands for the number of electrons. The electronic influence on sigmonic orbitals has also been investigated through the computation of the hyperfine structure and the anomalous Σ− magnetic moment effects in sigmonic Be 2p states.Exo

The thermal decomposition of 2-azidoacetamide (N3CH2CONH2) has been studied by matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy and real-time ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. N2, CH2NH, HNCO, CO, NH3, and HCN are observed as high-temperature decomposition products, while at lower temperatures, the novel imine intermediate H2NCOCHNH is observed in the matrix-isolation IR experiments. The identity of this intermediate is confirmed both by ab initio molecular orbital calculations of its IR spectrum and by the temperature dependence and distribution of products in the photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and IR studies. Mechanisms are proposed for the formation and decomposition of the intermediate consistent both with the observed results and with estimated activation energies based on pathway calculations.

Energies of the [( n ,l= n -1),1= n =20] and the [( n ,l= n -2),2= n =20] levels have been calculated for several hydrogenlike kaonic atoms throughout the periodic table, using the current world average kaon mass. Calculations were done in the framework of the Klein–Gordon equation, with finite nuclear size and all-order vacuum polarization corrections.

The determination of atomic masses from highly ionized atoms using Penning Traps requires precise values for electronic binding energies. In the present work, binding energies of several ions (from several elements) are calculated in the framework of two relativistic many-body methods: Relativistic Many-Body Perturbation Theory (RMBPT) and Multi-Configuration Dirac– Fock (MCDF). The ions studied in this work are: Cl (He and Li-like), Se (F and Ne-like), Cs (He, Be, Ne, Al, Cl, Ar, K, Kr, Xe-like and neutral Cs), Hg, Pb and U (Br and Kr-like). Some of them are presented in this paper. Cesium has been treated in more details, allowing for a systematic comparison between MCDF and RMBPT methods. The Cs ions binding energies allow for the determination of atomic Cs mass, which can be used in a QED-independent fine structure constant determination.

We present recent results in the field of total binding energy calculations, Landщ factors, quantum electrodynamics corrections and lifetime that are of interest for ion traps and ion sources. We describe in detail MCDF and RMBPT calculation of ionic binding energies, which are needed for the determination of atomic masses from highly charged ion measurements. We also show new results concerning Landщ factor in 3-electron ions. Finally we describe how relativistic calculations can help understand the physics of heavy ion production ion sources.

Structure and QED effects for 2s1/2 and 2p3/2 levels are calculated for lithiumlike U89+ trough neonlike U82+, lithiumlike Th87+ trough neonlike Th80+ and lithiumlike Bi80+ trough neonlike Bi73+. The results of the first two sets are compared with recent measurements of the 2s1/2-2p3/2 transition energy in 3 to 10-electron ions. Good agreement with experiment is found for most of the observed lines. Forty-one possible transitions are calculated for each ion in the eight ionization states, in the experimental energy range. Twenty-eight of these transitions have not been observed, nor calculated previously. We also calculate transition rates, branching ratios, excitation and ionization cross sections and confirm that the thirteen experimental observed transitions correspond to the ones with highest relative intensities. However, we find nineteen more transitions that could be measured in a more sensitive experiment.X