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The pure rotational spectrum of the ScO (X2Σ+) radical

The rotational spectrum of ScO (X-2 Sigma(+)) has been measured in the gas phase in the frequency range 30-493 GHz using a combination of Fourier transform microwave/millimeter-wave (FTM/mmW) and submillimeter direct absorption methods. This work is the first pure rotational study of this radical. Both the ground vibrational and v=1 states were observed. ScO was created from the reaction of metal vapor, produced either by a laser ablation source or a Broida-type oven, and N2O, in the former case heavily diluted in argon. Extensive hyperfine structure was observed in the FTM/mmW data, although the spin-rotation splitting was found to be small (similar to 3 MHz). In the mm-wave spectra, however, the fine and hyperfine structure was blended together, resulting in broad, single lines for a given transition N + 1 <- N. The data were analyzed in a combined fit using the very accurate hyperfine measurements of Childs and Steimle (1988), employing a Hund's case b Hamiltonian, and an improved set of rotational and centrifugal distortion constants were determined. These measurements improve the accuracy of predicted frequencies for astronomical searches by 14-18 MHz, or 16-20 km/s, in the 1 mm region - a difference of half to a full linewidth for certain interstellar sources. This work also demonstrates the capabilities of the FTM/mmW spectrometer at 61 GHz.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/622650
Date01 1900
CreatorsHalfen, D.T., Min, J., Ziurys, L.M.
ContributorsDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Department of Astronomy, University of Arizona, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
PublisherACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle
Rights© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Relationhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022285216302545

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