Millimeterwave spectroscopy of transient molecules produced in a DC discharge

The construction of a millimeterwave spectrometer to study the pure rotational spectra of transient molecules in the gas phase is presented. The spectrometer is a source-modulated system combined with a free space glass discharge cell. Millimeterwave radiation has been produced using a frequency multiplier, the fundamental radiation source being klystrons. The spectrometer has been used to study the millimeterwave spectrum of carbon monosulfide (CS) and fluorine cyanide (FCN) produced inside the cell in a low pressure DC discharge of precursor gases. The quadrupole hyperfine structures of³³S and¹⁴N nucleus of CS and FCN have been resolved, measured and analysed.