Fourier transform emission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations on NbCl

The emission spectrum of NbCl has been recorded in the 3000-20 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The bands were observed by microwave excitation of a mixture of NbCl₅ vapor and He. Two groups of bands observed in the 6500-7000 cm⁻¹ and 9800-11 000 cm⁻¹ regions have been assigned to two electronic transitions. Five bands observed in the 6500-7000 cm⁻¹ region consist of R, P, and Q branches with no combination defect or Λ-doubling. They have been assigned as five sub-bands of a ΔΛ=±1 transition with Λ>1. Nine bands observed in the 9800-11 000 cm⁻¹ regions consist of R and P branches, and they are also free from Λ-doubling. These bands have been classified into four sub-bands of a ΔΛ=0 transition (with Λ>1), which has tentatively been assigned as . The two transitions have no electronic states in common. Ab initio calculations have been performed on NbCl and the spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states have been calculated. The ground state of NbCl has been predicted to be a state arising from the 3σ¹ 1δ² 2π¹ configuration, with a low-lying state at 1300 cm⁻¹ from the 3σ¹ 1δ¹ 2π² configuration. The results of our experimental and theoretical studies will be presented. This work represents the first experimental investigation of the spectra of NbCl and the first ab initio prediction of the spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states.