Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy of niobium mononitride anion NbN−

Abstract

In this gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy study, we present the electron binding energy spectrum and photoelectron angular distributions of NbN− by the velocity-map imaging technique. The electron binding energy of NbN− is measured to be 1.42 ± 0.02 eV from the X band maximum which defines the 0-0 transition between ground states of anion and neutral. Theoretical binding energies which are the vertical and adiabatic detachment energies are computed by density functional theory to compare them with experiment. The ground state of NbN− is assigned to the 2Δ3/2 state and then the electronic transitions originating from this state into X3ΔΩ (Ω = 1-3), a1Δ2, A3Σ1−, and b1Σ0+ states of NbN are reported to interpret the spectral features. As a prospective study for catalytic materials, spectral features of NbN− are compared with those of isovalent ZrO− and Pd−.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 15, 2016
Source ID
10.1063/1.4955299

Entities

People

  • A. W. Castleman Jr.
  • Cüneyt Berkdemir
  • K. Don Dasitha Gunaratne
  • Shi-bo Cheng

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Erciyes University
  • Pennsylvania State University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Medical Imaging.
  • Superconducting Magnet Technology

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics