Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−
Published on: July 27, 2018
Electronic Spectroscopy of Cold Gas-Phase Ions in a Cryogenic Ion Trap: Vibronic States, Bonding Characteristics, and
Satoru Muramatsu1, Masahiro Koyama1, Yoshiya Inokuchi1
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
Abstract:
Laser spectroscopy under cryogenic gas-phase conditions enables the high-precision investigation of intrinsic molecular properties by minimizing perturbations from external environments such as impurities, solvents, and counterions. In particular, cryogenic ion-trap (CIT) spectroscopy has broadened access to a diverse range of molecular and cluster ions. When combined with electronic ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, which is typically performed in action schemes (photofragmentation, evaporation of inert tag molecules, laser-induced fluorescence, and so on), it serves as a sensitive and accurate probe for the vibronic structures, bonding characteristics, conformations, and excited-state dynamics of target ions. In this review, we present a brief overview of typical experimental setups and key techniques for CIT spectroscopy; we then survey recent case studies for various ions, including carbocations and protonated hydrocarbons, organic dyes, host-guest complexes, microhydrated ions, hypervalent ions, metal clusters, and chemical intermediates formed in solution. We highlight the precise and unambiguous information accessible using this method and illustrate the rapidly expanding scope of modern gas-phase chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...

