The rotational spectrum of BiO radical in its X1Π1/2 and X2Π3/2 states

Rotational spectra have been observed for BiO produced in a DC discharge through a low pressure mixture of O₂, Ar, and Bi vapor. Because of the highly non-thermal distribution of states, it has been possible to observe spectra arising from the X₁²Π_1/2 level up to v = 9 and for the X₂²Π_3/2 level up to v = 5 near 10 538 cm⁻¹. Precise rotational and hyperfine parameters have been determined for the observed states. By using available near infrared (NIR) data in a merged fit, the 0-0 and 1-1 fine structure intervals have been more precisely determined. Although the quality of the fit is very good, the interpretation of the hyperfine constants is complicated by relativistic effects and the interaction of the X₂ state with A₁⁴Π_3/2 state. The magnetic and quadrupole coupling constants will be compared with those of the Bi atom and related molecules.     

Vibrational and rotational analyses of bands between 636 and 660 nm in the red system of CuCl2

The long wavelength end of the electronic spectrum of CuCl₂, between 636 and 660 nm, has been recorded in the gas phase by laser-excitation spectroscopy using a sample prepared at low temperatures (ca. 10 K) in a free-jet expansion. Under these conditions, it is possible to resolve vibrational, rotational, and even Cu hyperfine structure. The (0, 0) band of the E²Π_u-X²Π_g transition has been identified with an origin at 15546.286(3) cm⁻¹ for ⁶³Cu³⁵Cl₂. The observation and analysis of bands involving vibrationally excited levels has allowed the determination of all three vibrational intervals for the E²Π_u state (ν₁ = 335.88 cm⁻¹, ν₂ = 112.42 cm⁻¹, and ν₃ = 482.17 cm⁻¹, ⁶³Cu³⁵Cl₂). In addition, two other, unrelated transitions have been identified in the same narrow wavelength region. This, combined with the observation of local perturbations of the rotational structure in various bands, reveals the presence of other closely lying electronic states in the same energy region.     

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.     

High-resolution Fourier-transform study of the X2Π3/2 → X1Π1/2 fine structure transitions of PbH and PbD

Near-infrared emission spectra of the X₂²Π_3/2 → X₁²Π_1/2 fine structure transitions of PbH and PbD have been investigated by high-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometry. The fine structure splitting in the X²Π_r ground state of ²⁰⁸PbH was found to be 6924.4926(4) cm⁻¹. Accurate rotational constants for the v = 0 and 1 vibrational levels of the X²Π_r states of ²⁰⁸PbH, ²⁰⁷PbH, ²⁰⁸PbD and ²⁰⁷PbD and hyperfine structure constants for the X₁²Π_1/2 states of ²⁰⁷PbH (²⁰⁷PbD) have been derived.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of new emission systems of NbN in the visible region

The emission spectrum of NbN has been reinvestigated in the 8000-35 000  cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer and two groups of new bands were observed. The bands observed in the 18 000-20 000 cm⁻¹ region have been assigned to a new ³Π-X³Δ transition. Three bands with R heads near 19 463.8, 19 659.0 and 19 757.0 cm⁻¹ have been assigned as 0-0 bands of the ³Π₂-X³Δ₃, ³Π₁-X³Δ₂ and ³Π_0±-X³Δ₁ subbands, respectively, of this new transition. Three additional ΔΩ = 0 bands have been observed in the 24 000-26 000  cm⁻¹ region. A 0-0 band with an R head near 25 409.9 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as a ΔΩ = 0 transition having X³Δ₂ as its lower state while two additional bands with heads near 25 518.7 and 25 534.8 cm⁻¹ were found to be ΔΩ = 0 bands having X³Δ₁ as the common lower state. Two of these three bands are perhaps subbands of a ³Δ-X³Δ transition. Most of the excited levels are affected by perturbations.     

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.     

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.     

The Fourier Transform Emission Spectrum of BΠ1-XΣ Band-System of InCl

The emission spectrum of the B³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ band-system of the InCl molecule has been recorded on a Fourier transform spectrometer at an apodized resolution of 0.025 cm⁻¹. The rotational structure of 1-0, 2-1, 0-0, 0-1, 1-2, 0-2, and 1-3 bands belonging to the B³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ transition of In³⁵Cl has been analyzed and accurate equilibrium rotational constants of the B³Π₁ state, have been obtained. Precise Λ-doubling constants of the B³Π₁ state (v=0, 1, and 2) are also reported for the first time.     

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.     

Mid-infrared diode laser spectroscopy of SO

The absorption spectrum of the fundamental band of SO⁺ (X²Π) has been recorded using a mid-infrared tunable diode laser spectrometer with the velocity modulation technique in an AC glow discharge of He/SO₂. Forty-two lines of SO⁺ were identified in the spectral range of 1230-1330 cm⁻¹. The observed rovibrational transitions together with the microwave data published previously were fitted to a standard effective Hamiltonian for ²Π states. Molecular constants for the ground and υ = 1 vibrational states were derived. The band origin was determined to be 1291.5299(27) cm⁻¹.     

Intracavity Laser Spectroscopy of NiCl System G: Identification of a [13.0] Π3/2 State

The (0,0) vibronic band of NiCl system G with a bandhead near 12 961 cm⁻¹ was recorded at high resolution in absorption using intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS). For the ILS absorption spectra, the NiCl molecules were produced in a nickel hollow cathode, operated with a small amount of CCl₄, and line positions were referenced to iodine spectra. Fourier transform (FT) emission spectroscopy was used to record an extensive region of the spectrum used in a vibronic analysis of system G. For the FT spectra, excited NiCl molecules were produced in a high-temperature King-type carbon tube furnace. We show that this transition is the (0,0) vibronic band associated with a newly identified ²Π_3/2 excited state and the X²Π_3/2 ground state. The molecular constants for the new ²Π_3/2 electronic state are derived from the rotational analysis. Improved vibronic constants for the band are obtained from analysis of the FT spectra.     

Spectroscopy of nickel chloride: Identification of the [15.0] Π3/2 and [15.0] Δ5/2 states

Vibrational bands belonging to the [15.0] ²Δ_5/2-A²Δ_5/2, [15.0] ²Δ_5/2-X²Π_3/2, and [15.0] ²Π_3/2-X²Π_3/2 electronic transitions of NiCl have been observed in the 14 000-16 000 cm⁻¹ region. The [15.0] ²Δ_5/2 and [15.0] ²Π_3/2 states are identified for the first time. The observed bands have been recorded at high spectral resolution using several techniques, which include intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS), Fourier transform emission spectroscopy (FTS), and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. For the ILS absorption spectra, NiCl molecules were produced in a nickel hollow cathode operated with a small amount of CCl₄. For the FTS emission spectra, excited NiCl molecules were produced in a King-type carbon tube furnace loaded with NiCl₂ and heated to 1600 °C. In the LIF work, NiCl molecules were produced by reacting laser-ablated nickel with PCl₃ seeded in argon. Detailed analysis of rotational transition lines indicates that the observed [15.0] ²Δ_5/2 and [15.0] ²Π_3/2 states are only separated by 10 cm⁻¹ and are interacting with each other. Molecular constants for these newly observed electronic states are reported.     

Rotational analysis of the (3, 6) band in the comet-tail (AΠi -XΣ) system of CO

The direct observation and rotational analysis of the (3, 6) band in the comet-tail (A²Π_i-X²Σ⁺) system of CO⁺ are carried out for the first time employing optical heterodyne and magnetic rotation enhanced velocity modulation spectroscopy. That 193 lines are assigned to this band ranging from 12 100 to 12 370 cm⁻¹ results in most accurate molecular constants by nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure employing the effective Hamiltonians.     

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnO in the XΣ and aΠi states

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnO has been measured in its ground X¹Σ⁺ and excited a³Π_i states using direct-absorption methods in the frequency range 239-514 GHz. This molecule was synthesized by reacting zinc vapor, generated in a Broida-type oven, with N₂O under DC discharge conditions. In the X¹Σ⁺ state, five to eight rotational transitions were recorded for each of the five isotopologues of this species (⁶⁴ZnO, ⁶⁶ZnO, ⁶⁷ZnO, ⁶⁸ZnO, and ⁷⁰ZnO) in the ground and several vibrational states (v = 1-4). Transitions for three isotopologues (⁶⁴ZnO, ⁶⁶ZnO, and ⁶⁸ZnO) were measured in the a³Π_i state for the v = 0 level, as well as from the v = 1 state of the main isotopologue. All three spin-orbit components were observed in the a³Π_i state, each exhibiting splittings due to lambda-doubling. Rotational constants were determined for the X¹Σ⁺ state of zinc oxide. The a³Π_i state data were fit with a Hund’s case (a) Hamiltonian, and rotational, spin-orbit, spin-spin, and lambda-doubling constants were established. Equilibrium parameters were also determined for both states. The equilibrium bond length determined for ZnO in the X¹Σ⁺ state is 1.7047 Å, and it increases to 1.8436 Å for the a excited state, consistent with a change from a π⁴ to a π³σ¹ configuration. The estimated vibrational constants of ω_e ∼ 738 and 562 cm⁻¹ for the ground and a state agreed well with prior theoretical and experimental investigations; however, the estimated dissociation energy of 2.02 eV for the a³Π_i state is significantly higher than previous predictions. The lambda-doubling constants suggest a low-lying ³Σ state.     

The visible spectrum of rhodium monoxide: RhO and RhO

Spectroscopic observations are reported for rhodium monoxide from hollow-cathode emission and laser-induced fluorescence experiments. Eleven bands of Rh¹⁶O and 10 of Rh¹⁸O, from the [15.8]²Π-X⁴Σ⁻ (b) and [16.0]²Π-X⁴Σ⁻ (b) transitions, have been rotationally analyzed. The ground state constants have been determined as B₀ = 0.4132, λ₀ = −0.58 and γ₀ = −0.102, in cm⁻¹. Rotational and lambda doubling parameters in v = 0, 1, 2, and 3 excited state vibrational levels have also been determined.     

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.     

Sub-millimeter wave spectroscopy of the C3H radical: Ro-vibrational transitions from ground to the lowest bending state

Linear C₃H in its (X²Π) electronic ground state possesses strong Renner-Teller coupling in the two lowest bending modes, ν₄ and ν₅. The ²Σ^μ level of the v₄ = 1 bending mode is shifted towards lower energies and is supposed to lie only 20.3 cm⁻¹ above the ground state [S. Yamamoto, S. Saito, H. Suzuki, S. Deguchi, N. Kaifu, S. Ishikawa, M. Ohishi, Astrophys. J. 348 (1990) 363]. In the present study, first measurements of ro-vibrational transitions from the ²Π_3/2 ground state to the ²Σ^μ lowest vibrational state were performed using a Terahertz spectrometer equipped with a supersonic jet nozzle. Rotational levels of the ²Π_3/2 and v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) state are close in energy and a crossing of the rotational energy ladders occurs between J = 24.5 and 25.5. A strong vibronic coupling leads to a significant intensity enhancement of ²Π_3/2 − ²Σ^μ ro-vibrational transitions. The search for ro-vibrational transitions was facilitated by measurements on pure rotational transitions in the ²Π_1/2, ²Π_3/2 and v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) states, substantially extending the former data set published by Yamamoto et al. Data analysis yields an accurate value for the v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) energy level which has been found to lie 609.9771(42) GHz or 20.34664(14) cm⁻¹ above the ²Π ground state. Furthermore, the value of the vibronic coupling constant β has been improved significantly and determined as 1231.77(51) MHz. The new set of spectroscopic parameters obtained in the present study permits very reliable frequency predictions into the Terahertz region.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of N2O weak overtone transitions in the 1-2 μm region

The absorption spectrum of the natural sample of nitrous oxide has been recorded at Doppler limited resolution with a Fourier-transform spectrometer in the spectral range 5000-10 000 cm⁻¹. Ten cold bands (8Σ − Σ and 2Σ − Π), thirteen hot bands (11Π − Π, Σ − Σ, and Δ − Δ) of ¹⁴N₂¹⁶O and the 3ν₃ band of ¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁶O have been newly detected. The uncertainty of the line position determination is estimated to be about 0.005 cm⁻¹ for unblended lines. The assignment of the spectrum has been done with the help of the prediction performed within the framework of the polyad model of effective Hamiltonian. The spectroscopic parameters G_v, B_v, D_v, H_v, and q_v have been determined for all newly detected bands. The line intensities of 13 weak bands have been measured. The uncertainty of the obtained line intensity values varies from 7 to 13%.     

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.