Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Molecular Energy Levels

[MatthiasN]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it would be possible to draw molecular energy levels? To clarify what I mean I've attached a file that displays the radioactive decay of 137-Cs. If it is possible, which package should I try to master and are there any templates available?

This would be really helpful for me. Thanks for reading,
Matthias

[svend_tveskaeg]

It seems to me that tikZ is the way to go; I found this example. A look at Cle­mens Nieder­berger's chemistry packages on CTAN might to of some use but I am not sure of this.

P.S. I don't use tikZ myself so I cannot help you further here, unfortunately.

[MatthiasN]

Judging from the example that is exactly what I need. Thanks a lot!

[cgnieder]

A look at Cle­mens Nieder­berger's chemistry packages on CTAN might to of some use but I am not sure of this.

No, none of my packages provides an interface for such diagrams. However, as you've noticed, the task is an easy one with TikZ. Shouldn't be too hard with PSTricks either, I would think...

Regards

[localghost]

A quick approach just for inspiration (perhaps in need of improvement). The output is attached.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[11pt]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[version=3]{mhchem}
\usepackage{siunitx}
\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}
  \begin{tikzpicture}[>=stealth,thick]
    \draw(0,5) -- (2,5) node[midway,above] {\ce{_{55}^{137}Cs}} node[right] {\num{30.2}\,y};
    \draw (3,2) -- (5,2) node[pos=0.75,above] {\ce{_{56}^{137m}Ba}};
    \draw (3,0) -- (5,0) node[pos=0.75,above] {\ce{_{56}^{137}Ba}};
    \draw[->] (0.5,5) -- (3.25,0) node[midway,below left] {$\beta^-$ \SI{1.2}{\MeV}} node[pos=0.2,left] {\scriptsize\SI{6.5}{\percent}};
    \draw[->] (1.5,5) -- (3.5,2) node[midway,above right] {$\beta^-$ \SI{0.5}{\MeV}} node[pos=0.2,right] {\scriptsize\SI{93.5}{\percent}};
    \draw[->] (3.5,2) -- (3.5,0);
    \node[right] at (5.2,1) {$y=\SI{0.66}{\MeV}$};
  \end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

Reading the manuals of the involved packages is recommendable.


Thorsten

[svend_tveskaeg]

Shouldn't be too hard with PSTricks either, I would think.

You are probably right but it is not as easy as with TikZ (assuming you can use this ), I think.

A quick approach ...

Wauw! Very elegant.

[localghost]

It can similarly be done by PSTricks. But some text nodes have to be positioned absolutely.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[11pt]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[version=3]{mhchem}
\usepackage{siunitx}
\usepackage{pstricks-add}
\usepackage{auto-pst-pdf}  % allow PSTricks code with PDFLaTeX

\begin{document}
  \begin{pspicture}[showgrid=true](-0.5,0)(7.5,5.5)
    \psline (0,5)(2,5) \rput(1,5.3){\ce{_{55}^{137}Cs}} \rput[l](2.2,5){$\num{30.2}\,y$}
    \psline (3,2)(5,2) \rput[r](5,2.3){\ce{_{56}^{137m}Ba}}
    \psline (3,0)(5,0) \rput[r](5,0.3){\ce{_{56}^{137}Ba}}
    \psline{->}(0.5,5)(3.25,0) \rput[r](1.5,2.5){$\beta^-$ \SI{1.2}{\MeV}} \rput[r](0.8,4){\scriptsize \SI{6.5}{\percent}}
    \psline{->}(1.5,5)(3.5,2)  \rput[l](3,3.5){$\beta^-$ \SI{0.5}{\MeV}} \rput[l](2.2,4.5){\scriptsize \SI{93.5}{\percent}}
    \psline{->}(3.5,2)(3.5,0)
    \rput[l](5.2,1){$y=\SI{0.66}{\MeV}$}
  \end{pspicture}
\end{document}

Since I nowadays rarely use PSTricks, I didn't find a more elegant way.

[svend_tveskaeg]

Very nice! (My "objection" was indeed regarding the absolute positioning; I don't know of a more elegant method myself.)

<Rest of post deleted>

[localghost]

[…] P.S. I think I read somewhere (maybe Herbert told me...) that it is a good idea to load auto-pst-pdf before any of the PSTricks packages but I am not sure.

Update
Hmm! In this post, auto-pst-pdf is loaded after the PSTricks packages. :?

If someone know what the best practice is, it would be nice to hear from you.

That would be off topic here. I suggest to ask him directly.