The rotational spectrum of the NiS radical in the X3Sigma- state

The rotational spectrum of the NiS radical in the X(3)Sigma(-) state was observed by employing a source-modulation microwave spectrometer. The NiS radical was generated in a free space cell by a dc glow discharge in H(2)S diluted with Ar. The nickel atoms were supplied by the sputtering reaction from a nickel cathode. Rotational transitions with J = 11-10 to 25-24 were measured in the region between 135 and 314 GHz. Rotational, centrifugal distortion and several fine-structure constants were determined by a least-squares analysis. Other spectroscopic parameters such as dissociation energy, vibrational wavenumber and equilibrium bond length were also derived from the determined molecular constants. Excitation energies of the lowest (3)Pi and (1)Sigma(+) states were estimated from the fine-structure constants, lambda and gamma.