High-resolution laser spectroscopy of the potassium-argon molecule: The BΣ state

The absorption spectrum of the KAr molecule has been observed with high resolution between 13 032 and 13 077 cm⁻¹ using tunable laser diodes as light sources, a supersonic beam for production of the molecules, and laser-induced fluorescence for detection. In addition, optical-optical double resonance (OODR) experiments have been performed to simplify the spectrum and to get rotational assignment. Altogether, 670 lines due to the transition B²Σ⁺ ← X²Σ⁺ have successfully been assigned with vibrational levels of the B state ranging from v = 0 to v = 6. The corresponding energy values were fitted to the well-known Dunham expansion. In addition, we were able to analyse a local perturbation between the vibrational level v = 1 of the B state and v = 14 of the A²Π_3/2 state. Unexpected extra lines in the OODR spectra are most probably due to a collision-induced population of other levels. For the equilibrium distance and the well-depth of the B state we obtain from the Dunham expansion 7.03 (8) Å and 26.2 (8) cm⁻¹, respectively.     

High-Resolution Laser Spectroscopy of the AΠ1←XΣ System of IBr with a Titanium:Sapphire Ring Laser

The vibrotational absorption spectra of the A←X electronic transition of I^79/81Br were measured in the 11 330- to 13 220-cm⁻¹ region using a Ti:sapphire ring laser. The P-, Q-, and R-branch lines of the rotational states from J=10 to 100 belonging to the v′←v″=(3∼20)′,←(1∼6)″ bands were assigned. The P- and R-branch lines, unlike the Q-branch lines, were split into the doublet by the nuclear quadrupole coupling effect of the I atom. The quadrupole coupling constants of eQq₀ and eQq₂ in the A state were estimated to be −0.030±0.018 and −0.062±0.018 cm⁻¹, respectively, by using the first order perturbation theory. The unperturbed line positions for the rotational lines higher than J=20 were determined. The Dunham coefficients of the X state were determined by the least squares fitting method using the pseudo vibrotational transition wavenumbers obtained by calculating the combination differences between the electronic spectral lines assigned and the far infrared vibrotational lines reported by Nelander et al. (7). The spectroscopic constants of Tv′, Bv′, Dv′, and Hv′ of the A state were determined suitable for the vibrational states from v′=3 to 20 by using a least squares fitting procedure.     

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.     

The AE-XA1 System of CaOCH3

We have recorded laser excitation spectra of the CaOCH₃ free radical in a laser ablation molecular beam apparatus, at a spectral resolution of about 0.010 cm⁻¹ and a rotational temperature estimated at 15 K. The two spin-orbit components of the A²E-X²A₁ 0₀⁰ origin band between 625 and 630 nm have been analyzed. Five main subbands were revealed, with ΔK=+1 and K″=0,±1,±2. There was clear evidence of lambda-doubling in the A²E_1/2-X²A₁ 0₀⁰ (F′₁) K′=+1←K″=0 component. A nonlinear least-squares fitting program based on the model developed by Endo et al. [Y. Endo, S. Saito, and E. Hirota, J. Chem. Phys.81, 122-135 (1984)] fit the experimental data (514 A-X lines, N″≤37) with a root mean square deviation of 0.003 cm⁻¹, using known molecular constants of the ground state. The main vibronic (T₀=15 925.1232(5) cm⁻¹), spin-orbit (aζ_ed=66.974 48(51) cm⁻¹), Coriolis (Aζ_t=5.437 30(24)) cm⁻¹, rotational (A=5.439 97(24) cm⁻¹, B=0.117 884(2) cm⁻¹), and fine structure constants (ε₁=−8.208(14)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹, h₁=1.50(12)×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, ε_aa=3.58(89)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹, ε_bc=3.20(76)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹) for the excited state have been obtained.     

Coherence-converted population transfer FTMW-IR double resonance spectroscopy of CH3OD in the OD-stretch region

Rotationally selected infrared spectra of jet-cooled CH₃OD have been recorded and analyzed in the OD-stretch region (2710-2736 cm⁻¹). The observed spectra are obtained by monitoring three E-species microwave transitions (1₋₁ ← 1₀ at 18.957 GHz, 2₋₁ ← 2₀ at 18.991 GHz, and 3₋₁ ← 3₀ at 19.005 GHz) in a narrowband cavity Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, using the background-free coherence-converted population transfer technique. Of the four upper state subbands observed, two (K′ = 0 and −2) are split by perturbations. The E-species deperturbed band origin is at 2718.1 cm⁻¹. The deperturbed reduced term values follow a pattern similar to the ground state. This allows the J′ = 0 torsional tunneling splitting to be estimated as 2.1 cm⁻¹, which can be compared to 2.6 cm⁻¹ in the ground state.     

Doppler-limited spectroscopy of the AΠ1 ← XΣ system of ICl in the 0.8 μm region using a Ti:sapphire ring laser

Doppler-limited vib-rotational absorption spectra of the A ← X electronic transition of I^35/37Cl are measured in the range 11,352-13,507 cm⁻¹ using a Ti:sapphire ring laser. The P-, Q-, and R-branch lines belonging to the v ← v″ = (0-7) ← (0-7) transition in I³⁵Cl and the v ← v″ = (0-6) ← (2-6) transition in I³⁷Cl are assigned. Under Doppler-limited conditions, the P- and R-branch lines are split into doublets by the nuclear quadrupole coupling effect of the I atom. The unperturbed positions of these lines are correctly calculated, whereas splitting in the Q-branch lines was not observed. The mass-reduced Dunham expansion coefficients U_l,m of the A and X states and the spectroscopic constants , and H_v^′ of the A state are determined using a global least-squares fitting procedure.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the EΠ-XΣ transition of CaH and CaD

The emission spectra of CaH and CaD have been recorded at high resolution using a Fourier transform spectrometer and bands belonging to the E²Π-X²Σ⁺ transition have been measured in the 20 100-20 700 cm⁻¹ region. A rotational analysis of 0-0 and 1-1 bands of both the isotopologues has been carried out. The present measurements have been combined with the previously available pure rotation and vibration-rotation data to provide improved spectroscopic constants for the E²Π state. The constants ΔG(½) = 1199.8867(34) cm⁻¹, B_e = 4.345032(49) cm⁻¹, α_e = 0.122115(92) cm⁻¹, r_e = 1.986633(11) Å for CaH, and ΔG(½)=868.7438(46) cm⁻¹, B_e = 2.212496(51) cm⁻¹, α_e = 0.036509(97) cm⁻¹, r_e = 1.993396(23) Å for CaD have been determined.     

Interactions between vibrational polyads of propyne, H3CCCH: Rotational and rovibrational spectroscopy of the levels around 1000 cm

The study of vibration resonance physics in propyne is based on experimental measurements of about 600 new rotational transitions between 495-590 and 700-760 GHz in excited vibrational levels v₅ = 1, v₈ = 1, v₁₀ = 3 and v₉ = v₁₀ = 1 with vibrational energies around 1000 cm⁻¹. The limits to the assignments and analysis were imposed by as yet unresolved anharmonic resonances with the states of the next higher polyad of levels lying above 1200 cm⁻¹, which affect the rotational states involved in transitions that would be measurable with non-vanishing intensities. Vibration-rotation spectra pertaining to the levels in question were studied in the regions 880-1150 cm⁻¹ (the ν₅ and ν₈ fundamental bands), 550-750 cm⁻¹ (the v₉ = v₁₀ = 1 ← v₁₀ = 1 hot bands) and 250-400 cm⁻¹ (the v₁₀ = 3 ← v₁₀ = 2 “superhot” bands). A simultaneous least-squares fit of both types of data provides their reliable but in the case of accurate rotational data not always fully quantitative reproduction.     

Fourier Transform Emission Spectroscopy of the FΣ-XΣ System of RuN

Emission spectra of RuN have been recorded at high resolution in the region 12 000-35 000 cm⁻¹ using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The molecules were excited in a ruthenium hollow cathode lamp in the presence of about 2.5 Torr of Ne and 5 m Torr of N₂. New bands with origins near 17 758.1, 18 866.4, 19 800.4 and 20 721.5 cm⁻¹ have been assigned as the 0-1, 0-0, 1-0, and 2-0 bands of a new ²Σ⁺-²Σ⁺ system with the lower state as the ground state. This transition has been labeled as F²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺, with the F²Σ⁺ state arising from the 1σ²2σ²1π⁴1δ⁴4σ¹ configuration. A rotational analysis of these bands has been carried out and spectroscopic constants have been extracted. The principal equilibrium constants for the ground state of RuN are ΔG(1/2)″=1108.3235(22) cm⁻¹, B_e″=0.5545023(42) cm⁻¹, α_e″=0.0034468(57) cm⁻¹, r_e″=1.5714269(60) Å, while the equilibrium constants for the excited state are ω_e′=946.8471(40) cm⁻¹, ω_ex_e′=6.4229(14) cm⁻¹, B_e′=0.50085(21) cm⁻¹, α_e′=0.00375(10) cm⁻¹, r_e′=1.65345(34) Å. This transition is analogous to the E²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺ system of RhC (W. J. Balfour et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc.198, 393 (1999)).     

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD

Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of MnH and MnD were observed in the ground X⁷Σ⁺ electronic state. The vibration-rotation bands from v = 1 → 0 to v = 3 → 2 for MnH and from v = 1 → 0 to v = 4 → 3 for MnD were recorded at an instrumental resolution of 0.0085 cm⁻¹. Spectroscopic constants were determined for each vibrational level and equilibrium constants were found from a Dunham-type fit. The equilibrium vibrational constant (ω_e) for MnH was found to be 1546.84518(65) cm⁻¹, the equilibrium rotational constant (B_e) is 5.6856789(103) cm⁻¹ and the eqilibrium bond distance (r_e) was determined to be 1.7308601(47) Å.     

High resolution emission spectroscopy of the AП-XΣ (red) system of CN

The emission spectra of the A²П-X²Σ⁺ (red) system of ¹²C¹⁴N have been reinvestigated in the 3500-22 000 cm⁻¹ region at high resolution using a Fourier transform spectrometer. In total, spectra of 63 bands involving vibrational levels up to v′ = 22 of the A²П state and v″ = 12 of the X²Σ⁺ ground state have been measured and rotationally analyzed providing an improved set of spectroscopic constants. The present measurements of the Δv = −2 sequence bands of ¹²C¹⁴N and those of ¹³C¹⁴N from Ram et al. (2010) [36] allow for a much improved identification of these two isotopologues in the near infrared spectra of carbon stars.     

Laser spectroscopy of holmium monosulphide: Electronic, vibrational and rotational structure of the A[14.79]8.5-X8.5, A[14.79]8.5-W[0.25]7.5 and A[14.79]8.5-V[0.98]7.5 transitions

Laser induced fluorescence spectra of HoS have been obtained using a Broida oven and a ring dye laser. Dispersed fluorescence spectra showed transitions from a common upper state, A[14.79]8.5 to the v = 0 and 1 vibrational levels of three low lying states, labelled X8.5, W[0.25]7.5 and V[0.98]7.5 (the states are labelled [10⁻³T₀]Ω according to their energy and Ω assignment). High resolution excitation spectra were obtained for all six transitions and a rotational analysis yielded the following principal constants, in cm⁻¹, for the X, W and V states, respectively: T₀ = 0, 251.8713(31), 980.6969(37); B_e = 0.121903(42), 0.121729(37), 0.122561(34); ΔG_1/2 = 463.8811(46), 462.9411(45), 461.2084(127). For the A state, T₀ = 14794.6987(28) cm⁻¹ and B₀ = 0.112596(29) cm⁻¹. The three low lying states are shown to arise from the Ho²⁺[4f¹⁰(⁵I₈)6s]S²⁻ configuration in accord with Ligand Field Theory predictions. The atomic origin of each of the three low lying electronic states was determined from the observed resolved hyperfine structure.     

Short-Range Characterization of the MeAr (Me=Zn, Cd) Ground-State Potentials from Fluorescence Spectra

First-time observed D1(¹Π)_v′=10→X0⁺(¹Σ) fluorescence in ZnAr, and A0⁺(³Π)_v′=4→X0⁺ and D1(¹Π)_v′=7,8→X0⁺ fluorescence in CdAr van der Waals (vdW) molecules were produced in a continuous supersonic molecular beam crossed with a pulsed dye-laser beam, following excitation of single vibronic levels. The dispersed fluorescence spectra displayed characteristic Condon internal diffraction (CID) patterns consisting of bound-free, reflection type, continuous spectra, and, in certain cases, bound-bound discrete features. An analysis of the A0⁺→X0⁺ and D1→X0⁺ bound-bound spectra indicates that Morse functions are adequate representations of the X0⁺ potential energy (PE) curves below their dissociation limits. In simulation of the A0⁺→X0⁺ and D1→X0⁺ bound-free spectra, the Morse, Lennard-Jones L-J(n−6), and Maitland-Smith M-S(n₀,n₁) functions were tested, and the respective M-S(11.3, 9.0) and M-S(10.6, 7.0) potentials were found to be good representations for the repulsive walls of the X0⁺ PE curves of ZnAr and CdAr, respectively, over the short range, R=2.45-4.38 Å (ZnAr) and R=2.85-4.31 Å (CdAr), of internuclear separations.     

The Ground StateXΣof NaK Revisited

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) optical spectra of theD¹Π–X¹Σ⁺system of the NaK molecule have been reinvestigated. In this new analysis, quantum numbers have been assigned to 3000 selected fluorescence lines for a wide range of vibrational and rotational levels (J≤ 149,v′ ≤ 23,v″ ≤ 47). A new set of constants of theX¹Σ state (Dunham-type coefficients) and term values of theD¹Π state have been determined by a weighted least-squares fit of the LIF optical lines of theD–Xsystem, some lines of theC–Xsystem, and microwave spectral data reported recently. Constants forX¹Σ (in cm⁻¹) are as follows: ω_e= 123.993, ω_ex_e= 0.3045,B_e= 0.095229, and α_e= 4.48 × 10⁻⁴. The equilibrium internuclear distance isr_e= 3.49903 Å, very little changed from the microwave value.     

The 1-v″ bands progression of the BΣ → XΣ system of CO

The B²Σ⁺ → X²Σ⁺ (0-1, 2, 3, 4 progression) electronic transition of ¹²C¹⁷O⁺ was first observed and analyzed by Szajna and Ke¸pa [Spectrochim. Acta A 65 (2006) 1014-1020]. We have now extended our previous studies. The use of high resolution conventional spectroscopic techniques has allowed first rotational analysis of the 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 and 1-5 bands of the first negative system in the 37,000-43,000 cm⁻¹ spectral region. Approximately 500 transition wavenumbers were measured with an estimated accuracy of 0.005 cm⁻¹. The present data were combined with the previous measurements to yield an improved set of molecular constants for the B²Σ⁺(v′ = 0, 1) and X²Σ⁺(v″ = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). The v′ = 1 and v″ = 5 vibrational levels were observed for the first time and the main molecular constants are (in cm⁻¹, one standard deviation in parentheses)

B2Σ+		X2Σ+
B1 = 1.710792(20)		B5 = 1.825694(23)
D1 = 7.799(15) × 10−6		D5 = 6.085(21) × 10−6
γ1 = 1.9491(37) × 10−2		γ5 = [8.381] × 10−3

Full-size table

     

High-Resolution Infrared Studies of ν1, 2ν1, and 2ν4 Bands of CHCl3

The C-H stretching fundamental band ν₁ (3033 cm⁻¹) of chloroform CH³⁵Cl₃ has been investigated together with the first overtone 2ν₁ (5941 cm⁻¹) in order to determine the rotation vibration parameters. From the ν₁ band α₁^C=−0.025 46(41)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹ and α₁^B=−0.010 688(44)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹ were obtained. The hot bands connected to the low lying fundamentals ν₃ and ν₆ have been analyzed and anharmonicity constants have been derived. Both the parallel and the perpendicular component band of the C-H bending overtone 2ν₄ have also been studied. In the parallel band (2410 cm⁻¹) more than 900 lines were included in the fit. In the perpendicular band (2443 cm⁻¹) 2615 lines were fitted using a model with one resonance. Among other things the results C₀−C_v=0.025 262 (20)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹, B₀−B_v=0.134 883 (25)×10⁻³ cm⁻¹, and (Cζ)_v=−0.111 867 56 (30) cm⁻¹ were obtained.     

The BΣ state of the SO radical

Spectra of the B³Σ⁻- X³Σ⁻ transition in SO above the first dissociation limit are recorded using degenerate four wave mixing. These spectra are combined with earlier work involving laser induced fluorescence, absorption spectra and Fourier transform emission spectra, to enable a rotational analysis and deperturbation of vibrational levels of the B state up to v′ = 16. Numerous perturbations were noted within the B³Σ⁻ state, and the origin of these is discussed. In a number of cases, these perturbations can be attributed to interactions with specific other electronic states of SO, such as A³Π, C³Π, d¹Π, and A″ ³Σ⁺.     

Vibration-Torsion-Rotation Study of the ν5 State of CH3CF3

An investigation of the torsion-rotation-vibration energies in the ν₅ vibrational state in CH₃CF₃ has been carried out using infrared and mm-wave spectroscopy. The lowest frequency parallel fundamental band ν₅ near 600 cm⁻¹ has been measured at a resolution of 0.00125 cm⁻¹ with Fourier transform spectroscopy for the two lowest torsional states v₆=0 and 1. The cold band (v₅=1, v₆=0)←(v₅=0, v₆=0) showed no torsional splittings and looked much like a parallel band in a C_3v molecule. The hot band (v₅=1, v₆=1)←(v₅=0, v₆=1) consisted of three distinct subbands, one for each torsional sublevel σ=0, +1, and −1. For the state (v₅=1, v₆=1), the torsional splitting was increased from ∼0.001 cm⁻¹ to ∼0.022 cm⁻¹ by torsion-mediated Fermi-type interaction primarily with the dark state (v₅=0, v₆=5). The effects of this coupling on the spectrum are striking in spite of the fact that the two interacting states are ∼100 cm⁻¹ apart and differ by four units in v₆. The large amplitude character of the state (v₅=0, v₆=5) is seen to be largely responsible for the unusual (k, σ) dependence of the energies in the state (v₅=1, v₆=1). The pure rotational spectrum in the state (v₅=1, v₆=0) has been measured between ∼50 and 370 GHz with Doppler-limited resolution; no σ-splitting was detected. The 3590 infrared and mm-wave frequencies measured here have been analyzed together with the 1494 measurements reported earlier by Wang et al. in an analysis of the vibrational ground state (2001, J. Mol. Spectrosc.205, 146-163). A good fit was obtained here by varying 36 parameters in a Hamiltonian which takes into account the interaction between the torsional stacks of levels for v₅=0 and 1, as well as the (A₁−A₂) splittings measured earlier for v₅=0. The explicit treatment of the interstack interactions is shown to lead to significant changes in the parameters (V_0,3, V_0,6) that characterize the torsional potential for v₅=0. These changes have been explained quantitatively by examining the contact transformation that is implicitly applied when the interstack coupling is neglected.     

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.     

A Laser-Induced Fluorescence Study of the Visible Spectrum of Rhodium Monoxide

A first analysis of an electronic spectrum of RhO is presented. The molecular species has been produced in a jet-cooled molecular beam following reaction in a laser ablation plasma. Laser excitation spectra have been recorded between 600 and 640 nm at 200 MHz resolution. Two transitions have been identified of ²Π_r(a)-X⁴Σ⁻(b) type and six subbands have been rotationally analyzed, four being (0,0) components. Molecular parameters for the X⁴Σ ⁻ state are B₀=0.41320 cm⁻¹, λ₀=−0.5733 cm⁻¹, γ₀=−0.10276 cm⁻¹, and r₀=0.1717 nm. An analysis of the hyperfine structure involving the ¹⁰³Rh nucleus has been made. It shows that the ground state of RhO conforms to Hund's coupling case b_βJ with b=− 0.0203 cm⁻¹. Hyperfine effects in the excited states are negligible.