High-Resolution Survey of the Visible Spectrum of NiF by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

High-resolution spectra of NiF have been recorded in emission by Fourier transform spectroscopy using a very stable discharge source. The 0-0 bands of 14 electronic transitions have been studied, 6 of them for the first time. This work confirms the presence of 5 low-lying spin components X²Π_3/2, 0.25]²Σ⁺, 0.83]A²Δ_5/2, 1.5]B²Σ⁺, and 2.2]A²Δ_3/2 as known from previous laser-induced fluorescence experiments. Eight electronic states are now identified in the 18 000-24 000 cm⁻¹ range above the ground X²Π_3/2 state. Electronic assignments for these excited states are not always obvious because of violations of the selection rules and unusual fine structure parameters. We think that some of the upper states are spin components of quartet states. In such a congested spectrum, high-resolution spectra are best analyzed in conjunction with an energy level diagram constructed mainly by dispersed low resolution laser-induced fluorescence.