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.