The laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of TiF in the ultraviolet region

The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of jet-cooled ⁴⁸TiF has been obtained in the wavelength region of 245-270 nm for the first time. Six pairs of vibronic bands were observed and assigned to two new transitions [37.8]⁴Φ-X⁴Φ and ⁴Δ-X⁴Φ. Rotational analysis was carried out for the (ν′ = 0-3 to ν″ = 0) vibrational bands of the [37.8]⁴Φ_3/2-X⁴Φ_3/2 and [37.8]⁴Φ_5/2-X⁴Φ_5/2 subbands, and also, the (ν′, 0) and (ν′+1, 0) vibrational bands of the ⁴Δ_1/2-X⁴Φ_3/2 and ⁴Δ_3/2-X⁴Φ_5/2 subbands. The effective equilibrium molecular constants for the [37.8]⁴Φ_3/2 and [37.8]⁴Φ_3/2 upper states were determined. In addition, lifetime measurements were carried out for all of the observed bands under collision-free conditions. On the basis of the spectroscopic constants and lifetime measurements, the electronic transitions involved in the observed high-lying electronic states are discussed.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the FΔ-XΦ system of TiF

The emission spectra of TiF have been reinvestigated in the 4200-15 000 cm⁻¹ region using the Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the National Solar Observatory at Kitt Peak. TiF was formed in a microwave discharge lamp operated with 2.5 Torr of He and a trace of TiF₄ vapor, and the spectra were recorded at a resolution of 0.02 cm⁻¹. The TiF bands observed in the 12 000-14 000 cm⁻¹ region have been assigned to a new transition, F⁴Δ-X⁴Φ. Each band consists of four sub-bands assigned as, ⁴Δ_1/2-⁴Φ_3/2, ⁴Δ_3/2-⁴Φ_5/2, ⁴Δ_5/2-⁴Φ_7/2, and ⁴Δ_7/2-⁴Φ_9/2. A rotational analysis of the 0-1, 0-0, and 1-0 bands has been obtained and spectroscopic constants have been extracted.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of NbS

Emission bands attributed to the NbS radical have been observed in the near infrared and visible regions with FTS techniques using an electrodeless 2450 MHz discharge as a source. Transitions within the doublet and quartet manifolds were recorded at high resolution. The present paper gives the first rotational analysis of this molecule. Numerous bands within the doublet and quartet manifolds have been analyzed, resulting in the characterization of seven different electronic states, three in the doublet and four in the quartet manifold. The states have been labeled in analogy with NbO. The analyzed electronic states are: X⁴Σ⁻, C⁴Σ⁻, A′⁴Φ, D⁴Δ, a²Δ, c²Π, and e²Φ. Four additional substates in the doublet manifold have also been analyzed. In all, 27 vibrational sublevels have been included in the analysis, the total number of rotational lines being about 18 000. The positions of the analyzed transitions are: C⁴Σ⁻ → X⁴Σ⁻ near 15 670 cm⁻¹, D⁴Δ → A′⁴Φ near 7740 cm⁻¹, c²Π → a²Δ near 5850 cm⁻¹ and e²Φ → a²Δ near 8500 cm⁻¹. The overall picture is consistent with the corresponding analysis of NbO. However, three energy separations could not be derived from the experimental data in the case of NbS, i.e., the a²Δ− X⁴Σ⁻, A′⁴Φ− X⁴Σ⁻ and a²Δ_5/2-a²Δ_3/2 splittings. These were set to 4992, 5490, and 992 cm⁻¹, respectively, from preliminary ab initio calculations. In this way, a tentative energy level scheme could be drawn. The first order spin-orbit parameter of the A′⁴Φ state was indeterminable from the experimental data and was set to the value 170 cm⁻¹, derived from the same calculations.     

The electronic emission spectrum of SiB

The gas phase spectrum of the silicon boride radical has been observed for the first time. Two electronic transitions were observed in emission from a corona excited supersonic expansion source. The D⁴Σ⁻-X⁴Σ⁻ system consists of emission from v′ = 0 to v″ = 0-3, while the A⁴Π-X⁴Σ⁻ system consists of numerous bands with v′ = 0-5 and v″ = 0-11, although only the strong 0-0 and 0-1 bands have been analyzed so far.     

High resolution laser spectroscopy of the titanium monohalides, TiCl and TiBr

The electronic spectra of the titanium monohalides, TiCl and TiBr, have been investigated in the blue-violet region using a laser ablation molecular beam spectrometer. Five subbands assigned as ⁴Γ_5/2-X⁴Φ_3/2 (0, 0), ⁴Γ_5/2-X⁴Φ_3/2 (1, 1), ⁴Γ_5/2-X⁴Φ_5/2 (0, 0), ⁴Γ_7/2-X⁴Φ_5/2 (0, 0) and ⁴Γ_7/2-X⁴Φ_7/2 (0, 0) were observed and recorded at both low and high-resolution for titanium monochloride. A Hund’s case (a) rotational analysis has been carried out for the ⁴⁸Ti³⁷Cl and ⁴⁸Ti³⁵Cl isotopic species, and polynomial analyses for these, as well as the ⁴⁶Ti³⁵Cl, ⁴⁷Ti³⁵Cl, ⁴⁹Ti³⁵Cl, and ⁵⁰Ti³⁵Cl isotopologues have been completed. The same spectral region yielded several molecular transitions for titanium monobromide, 10 of which were recorded at high resolution. Six of these have been attributed to a ⁴Γ-X⁴Φ electronic transition at 23 484 cm⁻¹, while the remaining four have been assigned to a second ⁴Γ-X⁴Φ electronic transition at 23 613 cm⁻¹. A Hund’s case (a) global analysis has been carried out for the ⁴⁸Ti⁷⁹Br and ⁴⁸Ti⁸¹Br isotopologues.     

The laser-induced fluorescence study of AΣ-XΠi band system of CuS

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled CuS molecules have been recorded in the energy range of 17 200-19 500 cm⁻¹. Fourteen observed vibronic bands have been assigned as three transition progressions: A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 0), A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 1), and A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-3)-X²Π_1/2 (v″ = 0). Spectroscopic constants of both the X²Π ground state and the A²Σ⁻ excited state of ⁶³CuS and ⁶⁵CuS were determined by analyzing their rotationally resolved spectra. Furthermore, the lifetimes of most observed bands were measured for the first time.     

High resolution Fourier transform spectrum of GaCl

The electronic emission spectrum of the A³Π₀-X¹Σ⁺ and B³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ transitions of Gallium monochloride molecule (⁶⁹GaCl) has been recorded on BOMEM DA8 Fourier transform spectrometer at an apodized resolution of 0.035 cm⁻¹. The rotational structure of the 0-0, 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, bands belonging to A-X and 0-0, 0-1, 1-2, and 0-2 bands belonging to B-X transitions has been analyzed and equilibrium rotational constants for the X¹Σ⁺ and A³Π₀ states have been obtained. For the first time we are able to determine the Λ-doubling constants in the v = 0 and 1 levels of the B³Π₁ state.     

Infrared emission studies of the AΣ-XΠ electronic transition of the SiC radical

The gas phase infrared emission spectrum of the A³Σ⁻-X³Π electronic transition of SiC has been observed using a high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer. Three bands ν′ − ν″ = 0-1, 0-0, and 1-0 have been observed in the 2770, 3723, and 4578 cm⁻¹ regions, where the 0-1 and 0-0 bands were observed for the first time. The SiC radical was generated by a dc discharge in a flowing mixture of hexamethyl disilane [(CH₃)₆Si₂] and He. A total of 1074 rotational transitions assigned to the 0-1, 0-0, and 1-0 bands have been combined in a simultaneous analysis with previously reported pure rotational data to determine the molecular constants for SiC in the two electronic states. The principal equilibrium molecular constants for the A³Σ⁻ state are: B_e = 0.6181195(18) cm⁻¹, α_e = 0.0051921(20) cm⁻¹, r_e = 1.8020884(26) Å, and T_e = 3773.31(17) cm⁻¹, with one standard deviation given in parentheses. The effect of a perturbation was recognized between the ν = 4 level of X³Π and the ν = 0 level of A³Σ, and the analysis was carried out to determine the interaction parameter between the two states.     

A study of the AΠ-XΣ and BΣ-XΣ band systems of scandium monosulfide, ScS, using Fourier transform emission spectroscopy and laser excitation spectroscopy

Emission spectra of the A²Π_3/2-X²Σ⁺ (0, 1), (0, 0), and (1, 0) bands and the B²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺ (0, 1), (0, 0), (1, 0), (2, 0), and (3, 1) bands of ScS have been recorded in the 10 000-13 500 cm⁻¹ region at a resolution of 0.05 cm⁻¹ using a Fourier transform (FT) spectrometer. The A²Π_r-X²Σ⁺ (1, 0) band as well as the B²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺ (0, 0) and (1, 0) bands have been recorded at high resolution (±0.001 cm⁻¹) by laser excitation spectroscopy using a supersonic molecular beam source. The FT spectral features range up to N = 148, while those recorded with the laser cover the “low-N” regions. The lines recorded with the laser exhibit splittings due to the ⁴⁵Sc (I = 7/2) magnetic hyperfine interactions, which are large (∼6.65 GHz) in the X²Σ⁺ state and much smaller in the B²Σ⁺ and A²Π states. The energy levels were modeled using a traditional ‘effective’ Hamiltonian approach, and improved spectroscopic constants were extracted and compared with previous determinations and theoretical predictions.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations on WO

Emission spectra of WO have been observed in the 4000-35 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Molecules were produced by exciting a mixture of WCl₆ vapor and He in a microwave discharge lamp. A ³Σ⁻ state has been assigned as the ground state of WO based on a rotational analysis of the observed bands and ab initio calculations. After rotational analysis, a majority of strong bands have been classified into three groups. Most of the transitions belonging to the first group have an Ω = 0⁺ state as the lower state while the bands in the second group have an Ω′′ = 1 state as the lower state. These two lower states have been assigned as X0⁺ and X1 spin components of the X³Σ⁻ ground state of WO. The third group consists of additional bands interconnected by common vibrational levels involving some very low-lying states. The spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states have been predicted from ab initio calculations. The details of the rotational analysis are presented and an attempt has been made to explain the experimental observations in the light of the ab initio results.     

Laser spectroscopy of the A[16.4]8.5-X7.5, A[16.4]8.5-Y[0.15]8.5, and A[16.4]8.5-Z[0.85]7.5 transitions of dysprosium monochloride

Laser-induced fluorescence spectra have been obtained at low resolution using a laser ablation source and pulsed dye laser, and at high resolution using a Broida oven and cw ring dye laser. Dispersed fluorescence spectra from two different excited states, A[16.4]8.5 and B[15.4]Ω (unknown Ω) (the states are labelled [10⁻³T₀]Ω according to their energy and Ω assignment) showed transitions to the same four low lying electronic states, X7.5, Y[0.15]8.5, Z[0.85]7.5, and an unassigned state at 970 cm⁻¹. High resolution excitation spectra of the A-X 0-0, A-Y 0-0 and 0-1, and A-Z 0-0 and 0-1 transitions were obtained and a global fit to all the data yielded rotational constants for both ¹⁶²Dy³⁵Cl and ¹⁶⁴Dy³⁵Cl. From the band origins, vibrational frequencies of 291 and 284 cm⁻¹ were obtained for the Y[0.15]8.5 and Z[0.85]7.5 states, respectively, suggesting that these two states originate from the Dy⁺(4f¹⁰6s)Cl⁻ configuration. The ¹⁶²Dy-¹⁶⁴Dy and ³⁵Cl-³⁷Cl isotope effects were studied and both indicated a ground state, X7.5, vibrational frequency of ∼230 cm⁻¹ which was reinforced by the observation, in dispersed fluorescence from the B[15.4] state, of a weak transition to a state 233 cm⁻¹ above the ground state. The observed electronic states and their configurational origin are discussed in terms of ligand field theory predictions.     

High-resolution visible laser spectroscopy of HfF

The electronic spectrum of hafnium monofluoride has been investigated from 415 to 725 nm using a laser-ablation/molecular beam laser-induced fluorescence spectrometer. Several electronic systems were observed and data have been recorded at both low and high resolution. High resolution rotational analyses of the [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [19.7]0.5-X1.5 (0-0), [20.0]0.5-X1.5 (0-0), [21.1]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [22.3]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), and [23.3]0.5-X1.5 (0-0) subbands have been carried out, resulting in accurate values for the ground and excited state effective rotational constants. Furthermore, the rotational analysis of the subbands assigned as [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (1-0) and [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (1-0) allows us to determine values of 589.7569(6) and 588.9076(6) cm⁻¹ for ΔG^′_1/2 [17.4] and ΔG^′_1/2 [17.9], respectively. From dispersed fluorescence data we find that ΔG^′′_1/2=670(13) cm⁻¹ for the ground state and that another low-lying electronic state lies at ∼2850 cm⁻¹. The data also suggests that a second low-lying electronic state lies at ∼5200 cm⁻¹ above the ground state.     

Rotational analysis of the (4, 8) band in the A-X system of Cl2

Thirty-four rovibronic spectral lines of the Ω=1/2 component of the (4, 8) band in the A-X system of ³⁵Cl₂⁺ were observed in the range of 16,940-17,010 cm⁻¹, employing optical heterodyne-enhanced velocity modulation spectroscopy. Nonlinear least-squares fitting the effective Hamiltonians results in precise band origin and other molecular constants of the levels involved.     

Laser spectroscopy of the B[21.68]8-X8, B′[21.65]8-X8 and C[22.3]7-X27 transitions of holmium monofluoride

The spectrum of holmium monofluoride (HoF) in the blue (420-480 nm) region has been studied using laser-induced fluorescence. Previous work [J. Phys. B 7 (1974) L234] had assigned several bands in this region to the B8-X8 transition. By obtaining wavelength selected laser excitation spectra at high resolution and rotationally analyzing seven bands in this region, we have shown that not all the bands previously assigned to the B8-X8 system belong to the same electronic transition and have identified three separate transitions which we have labelled B8-X8, B′8-X8, and C7-X₂7. Preliminary low resolution dispersed fluorescence spectra have shown several excited states at energies greater than 4000 cm⁻¹ above the ground state and, though not all could be assigned, ligand field theory calculations are consistent with assigning them to the first excited spin-orbit component of the Ho⁺(4f¹⁰6s²)F⁻ ground state configuration or to the first excited configuration, Ho⁺(4f¹¹6s)F⁻. The results of the dispersed fluorescence experiments also tentatively place the X₂7 state at ∼70 cm⁻¹ above the ground X7 state.     

High-resolution Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the AΠ-XΣ system of GeSe

Natural germanium and selenium consist of, respectively, five and six stable isotopes. Several of these isotopes have considerable abundances and one should expect to observe the bands of at least six isotopic variants of germanium monoselenide (GeSe). In this paper, for the first time, the results of the high-resolution electronic spectrum of the main transition A¹Π-X¹Σ⁺ of the specific isotopomer ⁷⁴Ge⁸⁰Se, excited in a microwave discharge and recorded in the 33 500-26 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer, is discussed. From the rotational analysis of 25 bands involving v″ = 0-12 and v′ = 0-7, accurate vibrational and rotational constants of the A¹Π state are determined. The present study has revealed perturbations in the v′ = 6 and 7 levels of the A¹Π state.     

Intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy of AuO: Identification of the bΠ3/2-XΠ3/2 transition

The visible electronic spectrum of AuO has been recorded at rotational resolution using intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy. Five vibrational bands have been analyzed and assigned as the (0, 0), (1, 0), (2, 0), (3, 0), and (4, 0) bands of the b⁴Π_3/2-X²Π_3/2 transition of AuO. The molecular parameters for the newly identified b⁴Π_3/2 state are presented.     

Velocity modulation spectroscopy of molecular ions I: The pure rotational spectrum of TiCl (XΦr)

The pure rotational spectrum of the TiCl⁺ ion in its X³Φ_r ground state has been measured in the frequency range 323-424 GHz, using a combination of direct absorption and velocity modulation techniques. The ion was created in an AC discharge of TiCl₄ and argon. Ten, eleven, and nine rotational transitions were recorded for the ⁴⁸Ti³⁵Cl⁺, ⁴⁸Ti³⁷Cl⁺, and ⁴⁶Ti³⁵Cl⁺ isotopomers, respectively; fine structure splittings were resolved in every transition. The rotational fine structure pattern was irregular with the Ω = 4 component lying in between the Ω = 2 and 3 lines. This result is consistent with the presence of a nearby ³Δ_r state, which perturbs the Ω = 2 and 3 sub-levels, shifting their energies relative to the Ω = 4 component. The data for each isotopomer were analyzed in a global fit, and rotational and fine structure parameters were determined. The value of the spin-spin constant was comparable to that of the spin-orbit parameter, indicating a large second-order spin-orbit contribution to this interaction. The bond length established for TiCl⁺, r₀ = 2.18879 (7) Å, is significantly shorter than that of TiCl, which has r₀ = 2.26749 (4) Å. The shorter bond length likely results from a Ti²⁺Cl⁻ structure in the ion relative to the neutral, which is thought to be represented by a Ti⁺Cl⁻ configuration. The higher charge on the titanium atom shortens the bond.     

Near-infrared Fourier-transform and millimeterwave spectra of the BiS radical

This paper reports the 6400-7400 cm⁻¹ Fourier-transform (FT) near-infrared (NIR) emission spectrum of the BiS X₂²Π_3/2 → X₁²Π_1/2 fine structure bands as well as the millimeterwave rotational spectrum of the X₁²Π_1/2 state. For the FTNIR observations, BiS was produced by reaction of bismuth with sulfur vapor and excited by energy transfer from metastable oxygen, O₂(a¹Δ_g), in a fast-flow system. As was the case for BiO [O. Shestakov, R. Breidohr, H. Demes, K.D. Setzer, E.H. Fink, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 190 (1998) 28-77], the 0.5 cm⁻¹resolution spectrum revealed a number of strong bands in the Δv = 0 and ±1 sequences which showed perturbed band spacings, band shapes, and intensities due to avoided crossing of the X₂²Π_3/2 and A₁⁴Π_3/2 potential curves for v^′ ? 4 of X₂²Π_3/2. The millimeterwave rotational spectrum of BiS in its X₁²Π_1/2 state was observed when BiS was produced in a high-temperature oven by a discharge in a mixture of Bi vapor and CS₂. The signal to noise ratio was markedly improved by using a White-type multipath cell. Ninety seven features from J′ = 23.5 to J′ = 41.5 were measured between 150 and 300 GHz. Analysis of the 0.5 cm⁻¹ resolution FT spectrum yielded the fine structure splitting and vibrational constants of the states. A simultaneous analysis of millimeterwave and a 0.005 cm⁻¹ FT spectrum of the 0-0 band of the NIR system was carried out to give precise rotational, fine, and hyperfine constants for the X₁²Π_1/2 and X₂²Π_3/2 states. The results are consistent with those reported earlier for BiO and indicate only a slight decrease in the unpaired electron density in the 6p(π^∗) orbital on the Bi atom.     

The AB2-XA1 electronic transition of NO2: A rovibronic survey covering 14 300-18 000 cm

More than 250 rotationally resolved vibrational bands of the A²B₂-X²A₁ electronic transition of ¹⁵NO₂ have been observed in the 14 300-18 000 cm⁻¹ range. The bands have been recorded in a recently constructed setup designed for high resolution spectroscopy of jet cooled molecules by combining time gated fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular beam techniques. The majority of the observed bands has been rotationally assigned and can be identified as transitions starting from the vibrational ground state or from vibrationally excited (hot band) states. An exceptionally strong band is located at 14 851 cm⁻¹ and studied in more detail as a typical benchmark transition to monitor ¹⁵NO₂ in atmospheric remote sensing experiments. Standard rotational fit routines provide band origins, rotational and spin rotation constants. A subset of 177 vibronic levels of ²B₂ vibronic symmetry has been analyzed in the energy range between 14 300 and 17 250 cm⁻¹, in terms of integrated density and using Next Neighbor Distribution. It is found that the overall statistical properties and polyad structure of ¹⁵NO₂ are comparable to those of ¹⁴NO₂ but that the internal structures of the polyads are completely different. This is a direct consequence of the X²A₁-A²B₂ vibronic mixing.     

Direct observation of the D′ 2g(P2)-A′ Π(2u) system for Cl2 by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy: Determination of the absolute position of the A′ state

In a discharged supersonic jet of Cl₂, transitions of the D′ 2_g(³P₂)-A′ ³Π(2_u) system for ³⁵Cl₂ were observed directly by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. By a discharge in Cl₂, the Cl₂ molecules were populated into the A′ state, which is a metastable and optically forbidden state, from the state. An ultraviolet laser radiation excites the molecules to the D′ ion-pair state. A set of Dunham parameters for the A′ state is determined from a global least-squares fitting for 59 vibronic bands with v″ = 0-7. In the fitting, the previously reported data, T(v) and B(v) for the v = 14 and 15 bands of the A′ state [T. Ishiwata, A. Ishiguro, K. Obi, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 147 (1991) 300-320], were included. Y₀₀ = 57295.723(5) cm⁻¹ of the D′ state [J.-H. Si, T. Ishiwata, K. Obi, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 147 (1991) 334-345] was also included in the global fitting in order to determine the absolute position of the A′ state. The determined parameters of the A′ state are Y₀₀ = 17171.506(14), Y₁₀ = 255.915(85), Y₂₀ = −4.465(70), Y₃₀ = −8.7(23) × 10⁻², Y₄₀ = 6.3(35) × 10⁻³, Y₅₀ = −4.9(26) × 10⁻⁴, Y₆₀ = 1.43(69) × 10⁻⁵, Y₀₁ = 0.16282(15), Y₁₁ = −2.363(68) × 10⁻³, Y₂₁ = −5.01(93) × 10⁻⁵, and Y₃₁ = −3.01(36) × 10⁻⁶ (in cm⁻¹ and one standard deviations of the fit in parentheses). The absolute position of the A′ state is determined with good accuracy.