Polarization spectroscopy of Sr79Br and Sr81Br: Analysis of theX 2 Σ + andB 2 Σ + hyperfine structure

Microwave optical polarization spectroscopy has been used to measure the hyperfine structure in theX ² Σ ⁺ (v=0) electronic ground state of Sr⁷⁹Br and Sr⁸¹Br. Optical hyperfine structure in theB ² Σ ⁺?X ² Σ ⁺ (0,0) system was resolved by Doppler-free laser polarization spectroscopy. The magnetic hyperfine parametersb andc and the electricquadrupole hfs parametereqQ were determined for theX ² Σ ⁺ andB ² Σ ⁺ states of both molecules. The magnetic hfs has been interpreted as an effect of halide electron spin polarization. The electric quadrupole coupling constants are compared with the alkali halides and discussed in terms of Sternheimer antishielding in polar molecules.