José Paulo Santos

There is a need for reliable theoretical methods to calculate electron-impact total ionization cross sections for the large number of neutral atoms and ions with open shell structures. These cross sections are used in a wide range of scientific and industrial applications, such as astrophysical plasmas, atmospheric science, X-ray lasers, magnetic fusion, radiation physics, semiconductor fabrication, accelerator physics and tumor therapy physics. The binary-encounter-Bethe (BEB) model [1], using an analytic formula that requires only two atomic constants, the binding energy and kinetic energy of the electrons, generates direct ionization cross sections for any neutral atom (or molecule), which are reliable in intensity (15%) and shape from the ionization threshold to a few keV in the incident energy [3], or to thousands keV if we consider its relativistic version(RBEB) [2]. In this work we present K- and L-shell ionization cross sections calculations for heavy atoms.

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 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.

A theoretical study of the all two-photon transitions from initial bound states with ni=2,3 in hydrogenic ions is presented. High-precision values of relativistic decay rates for ions with nuclear charge in the range 1<=Z<=92 are obtained through the use of finite basis sets for the Dirac equation constructed from B splines. We also report the spectral (energy) distributions of several resonant transitions, which exhibit interesting structures, such as zeros in the emission spectrum, indicating that two-photon emission is strongly suppressed at certain frequencies. We compare two different approaches (the line profile approach and the QED approach based on the analysis of the relativistic two-loop self-energy) to regularize the resonant contribution to the decay rate. Predictions for the pure two-photon contributions obtained in these approaches are found to be in good numerical agreement.

A theoretical study of the all two-photon transitions from initial bound states with ni=2,3 in hydrogenic ions is presented. High-precision values of relativistic decay rates for ions with nuclear charge in the range 1<=Z<=92 are obtained through the use of finite basis sets for the Dirac equation constructed from B splines. We also report the spectral (energy) distributions of several resonant transitions, which exhibit interesting structures, such as zeros in the emission spectrum, indicating that two-photon emission is strongly suppressed at certain frequencies. We compare two different approaches (the line profile approach and the QED approach based on the analysis of the relativistic two-loop self-energy) to regularize the resonant contribution to the decay rate. Predictions for the pure two-photon contributions obtained in these approaches are found to be in good numerical agreement.

An extensive conformational analysis was carried at ab initio and DFT levels of theory on two molecules - methyl 2-azidopropionate (N3CH3CHCOOCH3) and methyl 3-azidopropionate (N3CH2CH2COOCH3). In each case, the lowest energy conformers were characterized and the energy barriers between them were estimated. Ionization energies and vibrational frequencies were also computed, in order to support future spectroscopic studies with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UVPES) and matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy (Matrix Isolation FTIR).

Abstract.  Total ionization cross sections of neutral phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth atoms by electron impact are reported and compared to the only available experimental results by Freund et al. [Phys. Rev. A 41, 3575 (1990)]. These calculations take into account the possibilities that some target atoms used in the experiments were in metastable states close to the ground state, the excitation-autoionization of nsnp4 excited states may be substantial, and the ions produced in experiments may be in excited, low-lying metastable states. The cross sections for direct ionization calculations are based on the BEB model by Kim and Rudd [Phys. Rev. A 50, 3954 (1994)]. Plane-wave Born cross sections scaled by the method developed by Kim [Phys. Rev. A 64, 3954 032713 (2001)] are used to determine the contributions from excitation-autoionization. The combination of the BEB model and the scaled Born cross sections is in agreement with the experimental data by Freund et al. These theoretical data are useful to experimentalists and can be used to complete data tables needed for plasma or astrophysical studies.

Abstract.&nbsp;&nbsp;Total ionization cross sections of neutral phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth atoms by electron impact are reported and compared to the only available experimental results by Freund et&nbsp;al. [Phys. Rev. A 41, 3575 (1990)]. These calculations take into account the possibilities that some target atoms used in the experiments were in metastable states close to the ground state, the excitation-autoionization of nsnp4 excited states may be substantial, and the ions produced in experiments may be in excited, low-lying metastable states. The cross sections for direct ionization calculations are based on the BEB model by Kim and Rudd [Phys. Rev. A 50, 3954 (1994)]. Plane-wave Born cross sections scaled by the method developed by Kim [Phys. Rev. A 64, 3954 032713 (2001)] are used to determine the contributions from excitation-autoionization. The combination of the BEB model and the scaled Born cross sections is in agreement with the experimental data by Freund et&nbsp;al. These theoretical data are useful to experimentalists and can be used to complete data tables needed for plasma or astrophysical studies.

We present a first theoretical determination of the hyperfine coupling constants of a spherical top molecule using ab initio methods. The scalar and tensorial contributions to the spin-rotation constants and the diamagnetic and paramagnetic contributions to the nuclear shielding constant are calculated for the ³²SF₆ molecule. The corrections to the spin-rotation constants due to nuclear Thomas precession are evaluated and discussed. Our results are compared with previously reported experimental values.

We present a first theoretical determination of the hyperfine coupling constants of a spherical top molecule using <i>ab initio</i> methods. The scalar and tensorial contributions to the spin-rotation constants and the diamagnetic and paramagnetic contributions to the nuclear shielding constant are calculated for the ³²SF₆ molecule. The corrections to the spin-rotation constants due to nuclear Thomas precession are evaluated and discussed. Our results are compared with previously reported experimental values.

We study the contribution of the most important processes leading to the creation of excited states of Cl14+ ions from the ground configurations of Cl ions in an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source (ECRIS), which lead to the emission of K X-ray lines. Theoretical values for inner-shell excitation, K and KL ionization cross-sections, and energies and transition probabilities for the de-excitation processes are calculated in the framework of the Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method. With reasonable assumptions about the electron energy distribution, a theoretical K[alpha] X-ray spectrum is obtained, which reproduces closely a recent experimental result.

We study the contribution of the most important processes leading to the creation of excited states of Cl14+ ions from the ground configurations of Cl ions in an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source (ECRIS), which lead to the emission of K X-ray lines. Theoretical values for inner-shell excitation, K and KL ionization cross-sections, and energies and transition probabilities for the de-excitation processes are calculated in the framework of the Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method. With reasonable assumptions about the electron energy distribution, a theoretical K[alpha] X-ray spectrum is obtained, which reproduces closely a recent experimental result.

Experimental relative transition probabilities for the 16 more pro-eminent lines arising from the 6p configurations of Au II were determined from the emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out using a Cu-Au alloy with 10% Au content in order to obtain an optically thin plasma. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using theoretical lifetimes calculated in this work, line-strength sum rules and Boltzmann plot. A comparison has been conducted between present experimental results, the theoretical data available and new calculations with the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method reported in this work, as well as a study of the plasma conditions.

Experimental relative transition probabilities for the 16 more pro-eminent lines arising from the 6p configurations of Au II were determined from the emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out using a Cu-Au alloy with 10% Au content in order to obtain an optically thin plasma. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using theoretical lifetimes calculated in this work, line-strength sum rules and Boltzmann plot. A comparison has been conducted between present experimental results, the theoretical data available and new calculations with the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method reported in this work, as well as a study of the plasma conditions.

The transition probabilities of Kα hypersatellite lines and energy shifts with respect to the corresponding diagram lines are computed using the Dirac–Fock model for several values of atomic number Z throughout the periodic table. The influence of the Breit interaction on the Kα₁^h/Kα₂^h line intensity ratio, Kα₁^h and Kα₂^h line energy shifts and Kα₁^h to Kα₂^h line energy splitting is evaluated. Double-K shell hole threshold values for selected elements with 23 ⩽Z⩽ 30, calculated within the same approach, are compared with available experimental results.

The transition probabilities of K&alpha; hypersatellite lines and energy shifts with respect to the corresponding diagram lines are computed using the Dirac&ndash;Fock model for several values of atomic number <I>Z</I> throughout the periodic table. The influence of the Breit interaction on the K&alpha;<SUB>1</SUB><SUP>h</SUP>/K&alpha;<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>h</SUP> line intensity ratio, K&alpha;<SUB>1</SUB><SUP>h</SUP> and K&alpha;<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>h</SUP> line energy shifts and K&alpha;<SUB>1</SUB><SUP>h</SUP> to K&alpha;<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>h</SUP> line energy splitting is evaluated. Double-K shell hole threshold values for selected elements with 23 &les;<I>Z</I>&les; 30, calculated within the same approach, are compared with available experimental results.

Energies and transition probabilities of Kβ hypersatellite lines are computed using the Dirac–Fock model for several values of Z throughout the periodic table. The influence of the Breit interaction on the energy shifts from the corresponding diagram lines and on the Kβh1/Kβh3 intensity ratio is evaluated. The widths of the double-K hole levels are calculated for Al and Sc. The results are compared to experiment and to other theoretical calculations.Al_Sc_Mg_Ti

Energies and transition probabilities of Kβ hypersatellite lines are computed using the Dirac–Fock model for several values of Z throughout the periodic table. The influence of the Breit interaction on the energy shifts from the corresponding diagram lines and on the Kβh1/Kβh3 intensity ratio is evaluated. The widths of the double-K hole levels are calculated for Al and Sc. The results are compared to experiment and to other theoretical calculations.

Total electronic correlation corrections to the binding energies of the isoelectronic series of beryllium, neon, magnesium and argon, are calculated in the framework of relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method. Convergence of the correlation energies is studied as the active set of orbitals is increased. The Breit interaction is treated fully self-consistently. The final results can be used in the accurately determination of atomic masses from highly charged ions data obtained in Penning-trap experiments.

Total electronic correlation corrections to the binding energies of the isoelectronic series of beryllium, neon, magnesium and argon, are calculated in the framework of relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method. Convergence of the correlation energies is studied as the active set of orbitals is increased. The Breit interaction is treated fully self-consistently. The final results can be used in the accurately determination of atomic masses from highly charged ions data obtained in Penning-trap experiments.

Ab initio and density functional calculations have been performed to study the benzyl azide, 2-, 3- and 4-methyl benzyl azides. Several molecular properties, such as conformational equilibrium, optimal geometry, and vibrational frequencies, have been computed for these molecules. Ionisation energies were also computed.

Ab initio and density functional calculations have been performed to study the benzyl azide, 2-, 3- and 4-methyl benzyl azides. Several molecular properties, such as conformational equilibrium, optimal geometry, and vibrational frequencies, have been computed for these molecules. Ionisation energies were also computed.

Wavelengths and oscillator strengths for all dipole-allowed fine-structure transitions in Zr III have been calculated within the Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock method with QED corrections. These transitions are included in the spectrum of some chemically peculiar stars, like the B-type star Lupi observed by the Hubble space telescope. The results are compared to existing experimental and semi-empirical data.

Wavelengths and oscillator strengths for all dipole-allowed fine-structure transitions in Zr III have been calculated within the Multi-Configuration Dirac-Fock method with QED corrections. These transitions are included in the spectrum of some chemically peculiar stars, like the B-type star Lupi observed by the Hubble space telescope. The results are compared to existing experimental and semi-empirical data. Corr

In the present work we have calculated several relativistic transition probabilities for the F-like ions with 10 less-than-or-equals, slant Z less-than-or-equals, slant 49, in the framework of the Multi-Configuration Dirac–Fock method, for applications on laserphysics and astrophysics. The lines considered correspond to transitions between levels of 2p43s, 2p43p and 2p43d configurations. The spectral fine structure is taken into consideration and the results for individual lines are given.