Pursuit of quantum monodromy in the far-infrared and mid-infrared spectra of NCNCS using synchrotron radiation

Quantum monodromy has a dramatic and defining impact on all those physical properties of chain-molecules that depend on a large-amplitude bending coordinate, including in particular the distribution of the ro-vibrational energy levels. As revealed by its pure rotational (a-type) spectrum [B. P. Winnewisser et al. , Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. , 2010, 12 , 8158-8189] cyanogen iso-thiocyanate, NCNCS, is a particularly illuminating exemplar of quantum monodromy: it clearly shows the distinctive monodromy-induced dislocation of the ro-vibrational energy level pattern for its low-lying bending mode. This dislocation centers on a lattice defect in the energy vs. momentum map of the ro-vibrational levels at the top of the barrier to linearity, and represents an example of an excited state quantum phase transition [D. Larese and F. Iachello, J. Mol. Struct. , 2011, 1006 , 611-628]. To complete the data, so far limited to Δ J = +1 transitions, we decided to measure the high-resolution far-infrared band of the large-amplitude bending vibration ν 7 , and, if possible, mid-infrared bands. This Perspectives article presents our ongoing progress towards this goal, beginning with the description of how to predict line positions and intensities of the a- and b-type bands of the large amplitude bending mode using the Generalized-SemiRigid-Bender (GSRB) Hamiltonian for NCNCS and ab initio dipole moment functions [B. P. Winnewisser et al. , Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. , 2010, 12 , 8158-8189]. We include background information about synchrotron physics to clarify the advantages and limitations of that radiation source for our experiments. Details of the chemical preparation and sample handling, leading to the realization that NCNCS is 50 kJ mol −1 lower in energy than its isomer S(CN) 2 [Z. Kisiel et al. , J. Phys. Chem. A , 2013, 117 , 13815-13824] are included. We present the far-infrared and mid-infrared spectrum of NCNCS obtained at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, using the IFS 125HR Bruker Fourier transform spectrometer. Eight of the fundamental vibrational modes of NCNCS have now been observed at high resolution. Initial analyses of the data confirm band assignments and demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions. Quantum monodromy in NCNCS produces this predicted complex rotational and rovibrational spectral pattern, which guided our search for the actual spectrum.