Identification of new bands in the red system of CoO

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum of jet-cooled CoO molecules has been studied in the range of 540-725 nm. Beside all the parallel-polarized and perpendicular bands observed previously by Barnes and co-workers M. Barnes, D.J. Clouthier, P.G. Hajigeorgiou, G. Huang, C.T. Kingston, A.J. Merer, G.F. Metha, J.R.D. Peers, S.J. Rixon, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 186 (1997) 374-402], 59 new bands have been recorded. Rotational constants have been derived and three new vibrational progressions identified. These three new band systems have been designated 13.99]⁴Π_5/2-X⁴Δ_7/2, 14.20]⁴Π_5/2-X⁴Δ_7/2 and 15.85]⁴Π_5/2-X⁴Δ_7/2. In addition, lifetime measurements have been carried out for most of the bands under collision-free conditions.