Comprehensive identification and potential applications of new states of hydrogen

The data from a broad spectrum of investigational techniques strongly and consistently indicate that hydrogen can exist in lower-energy states then previously thought possible. Novel emission lines with energies of q · 13.6 eV where q = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 were previously observed by extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy recorded on microwave discharges of helium with 2% hydrogen [Mills RL, Ray P. Extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy of helium-hydrogen plasma. J Phys D 2003;36:1535–42]. These lines matched H ( 1 / p ) , fractional Rydberg states of atomic hydrogen wherein n = 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4 , … , 1 p ; ( p ⩽ 137 is an integer) replaces the well-known parameter n = integer in the Rydberg equation for hydrogen excited states. Evidence supports that these states are formed by a resonant nonradiative energy transfer to He + acting as a catalyst. Ar + and K also serve as catalysts since, like He + , they meet the catalyst criterion—a chemical or physical process with an enthalpy change equal to an integer multiple of the potential energy of atomic hydrogen, 27.2 eV. ( 1 / p ) may react to form H 2 ( 1 / p ) that have vibrational and rotational energies that are p 2 times those of H 2 comprising uncatalyzed atomic hydrogen. Rotational lines were observed in the 145–300 nm region from atmospheric pressure electron-beam excited argon–hydrogen plasmas. The unprecedented energy spacing of 4 2 times that of hydrogen established the internuclear distance as 1 4 that of H 2 and identified H 2 ( 1 4 ) . The predicted products of alkali catalyst K are H - ( 1 4 ) which form a novel alkali halido hydride compound ( MH * X ) and H 2 ( 1 4 ) which may be trapped in the crystal. The 1H MAS NMR spectrum of novel compound KH * Cl relative to external tetramethylsilane (TMS) showed a large distinct upfield resonance at - 4.4 ppm corresponding to an absolute resonance shift of - 35.9 ppm that matched the theoretical prediction of H - ( 1 / p ) with p = 4 . The predicted catalyst reactions, position of the upfield-shifted NMR peaks for H - ( 1 4 ) , and spectroscopic data for H - ( 1 4 ) were found to be in agreement with the experimental observations as well as previously reported analysis of KH * Cl containing this hydride ion. edicted frequencies of ortho- and para- H 2 ( 1 4 ) were observed at 1943 and 2012 cm - 1 in the high resolution FTIR spectrum of KH * I having a - 4.6 ppm NMR peak assigned to H - ( 1 4 ) . The 1943 / 2012 cm - 1 -intensity ratio matched the characteristic ortho-to-para-peak-intensity ratio of 3:1, and the ortho–para splitting of 69 cm - 1 matched that predicted. KH * Cl having H - ( 1 4 ) by NMR was incident to the 12.5 keV electron-beam which excited similar emission of interstitial H 2 ( 1 4 ) as observed in the argon–hydrogen plasma. H 2 ( 1 / p ) gas was isolated by liquefaction of plasma gas at liquid nitrogen temperature and by decomposition of compounds ( MH * X ) found to contain the corresponding hydride ions H - ( 1 / p ) . The H 2 ( 1 / p ) gas was dissolved in CDCl 3 and characterized by 1H NMR. Considering solvent effects, singlet peak upfields of H 2 were observed with a predicted integer spacing of 0.64 ppm at 3.47, 3.02, 2.18, 1.25, 0.85, and 0.22 ppm which matched the consecutive series H 2 ( 1 2 ) , H 2 ( 1 3 ) , H 2 ( 1 4 ) , H 2 ( 1 5 ) , H 2 ( 1 6 ) , and H 2 ( 1 7 ) , respectively. power was absolutely measured from the helium–hydrogen plasma. For an input of 41.9 W, the total plasma power of the helium–hydrogen plasma measured by water bath calorimetry was 62.1 W corresponding to 20.2 W of excess power in 3 cm 3 plasma volume. The excess power density and energy balance were high, 6.7 W / cm 3 and - 5.4 × 10 4 kJ / mole H 2 ( 280 eV / H atom ) , respectively. In addition to power applications, battery and propellant reactions are proposed that may be transformational, and observed excited vibration–rotational levels of H 2 ( 1 4 ) could be the basis of a UV laser that could significantly advance photolithography.