Isotope effects in the CO dimer: millimeter wave spectrum and rovibrational calculations of (12C18O)2.

The millimeter wave spectrum of the isotopically substituted CO dimer, (12C18O)2, was studied with the Orotron jet spectrometer, confirming and extending a previous infrared study [A. R. W. McKellar, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 226, 190 (2004)]. A very dilute gas mixture of CO in Ne was used, which resulted in small consumption of 12C18O sample gas and produced cold and simple spectra. Using the technique of combination differences together with the data from the infrared work, six transitions in the 84-127 GHz region have been assigned. They belong to two branches, which connect four low levels of A+ symmetry to three previously unknown levels of A- symmetry. The discovery of the lowest state of A- symmetry, which corresponds to the projection K=0 of the total angular momentum J onto the intermolecular axis, identifies the geared bending mode of the 12C18O dimer at 3.607 cm(-1). Accompanying rovibrational calculations using a recently developed hybrid potential from ab initio coupled cluster [CCSD(T)] and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory calculations [G. W. M. Vissers et al., J. Chem. Phys. 122, 054306 (2005)] gave very good agreement with experiment. The isotopic dependence of the A+/A- energy splitting, the intermolecular separation R, and the energy difference of two ground state isomers, which change significantly when 18O or 13C are substituted into the normal (12C16O)2 isotopolog [L. A. Surin et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc. 223, 132 (2004)], was explained by these calculations. It turns out that the change in anisotropy of the intermolecular potential with respect to the shifted monomer centers of mass is particularly significant.

The Cologne Carbon Cluster experiment: ro-vibrational spectroscopy on C8 and other small carbon clusters.

We report on our ongoing efforts in obtaining the IR-spectra of the linear carbon cluster molecules Cn with n=8-13. So far C8, C9, C10, and C13 have been recorded at Cologne. With the exception of C8 all assignments have been secured. For C8 a tentative assignment could be derived with the bandcenter of the sigmau antisymmetric stretching mode located at nu0=2067.9779 cm(-1) and a preliminary rotational constant in the vibrational ground state of B"=0.02068 cm(-1). The measured signal to noise ratio of the ro-vibrational band is fairly weak and thus the lower J ro-vibrational transitions can not be assigned with certainty. As a consequence the band center remains uncertain by 4 J or 0.17 cm(-1). For a more reliable assignment the sensitivity of the system has to be increased by at least one order of magnitude. The envisaged sensitivity increase of our experiment will be discussed along with the intention to perform terahertz observations of the low energetic bending ro-vibrational spectra. These sub-mm wave measurements will be carried out simultaneously with the IR measurements.

High resolution TDL spectroscopy of the Ar-CH4 complex.

The spectrum of the weakly bound complex Ar-CH4 in the 7 microm region was discovered, analysed, and compared with a spectrum, predicted from ab initio calculations. The measurements were made by probing a supersonic gas expansion with a tunable diode laser (TDL). Several bands of Ar-CH4 associated with different ro-vibrational transitions of the v4 vibration of CH4 were recorded and analysed in a spectral region from 1295 to 1330 cm(-1). In particular the following transitions were studied: j = 1 <-- 0 (at 1311 cm(-1)) reported in Pak et al. [Z. Naturforsch. 53 (1998) 725], j = 0 <-- 1 (at 1301 cm(-1)), j = 2 <-- 1 (at 1316 cm(-1)), and j = 3 <-- 2 transitions (at 1322 cm(-1)). Here, j denotes the angular momentum of the methane unit inside the complex. Analysis of the recently recorded j = 1 <-- 1 transitions at about 1306 cm(-1) in the region of methane Q(1) is in progress. The experimental results are compared with ab initio calculations. The close agreement between observed and ab initio spectra is convincingly demonstrated with respect to the gross spectral features, including many details of the spectra.

Doppler-free two-photon millimeter wave transitions in OCS and CHF3.

Doppler-free two-photon rotational transitions J = 13<--<--11 and J = 12<--<--10 of OCS and J = 8<--<--6 and J = 7<--<--5 of CHF (3) were detected in the frequency range 134-156 GHz, using a novel, highly sensitive intracavity-jet technique. The sub-Doppler narrowing of the observed peaks (down to 40 kHz full width at half maximum as compared to 300 kHz of the Doppler width) demonstrates the potential of this new technique for high precision millimeter wave spectroscopy. The possibilities of the further reduction of the two-photon absorption line widths are considered.

Submillimeter-Wave Spectroscopy of Phosphaalkynes: HCCCP, NCCP, HCP, and DCP.

The submillimeter-wave rotational spectra of the unstable phosphorus-bearing molecules HCCCP (phosphabutadiyne) and NCCP (C-cyanophosphaethyne) have been investigated in selected frequency regions between 490 and 815 GHz using the Cologne Terahertz Spectrometer. Both molecules were studied in their ground vibrational states. Additionally, vibrational satellites within the bending states v(4) = 1 and v(5) = 1 were recorded for NCCP. Furthermore, the ground state rotational spectra of the (13)C and (15)N isotopomers of NCCP were detected in natural abundance. The new measurements allowed us to evaluate the sextic centrifugal distortion constants for each isotopomer and vibrational state investigated. The pyrolysis reactions, through which HCCCP and NCCP were produced in situ, also yielded phosphaethyne, HCP, as a by-product. Some transitions of HCP and DCP were recorded in their ground vibrational states along with v(2) = 1 vibrational satellites of the former. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Detection of the linear carbon cluster C10: rotationally resolved diode-laser spectroscopy.

Detected in interstellar space and as intermediates in soot formation, molecules of pure carbon in the form of linear chains or ring structures have interested researchers for several decades, who attempt to elucidate their physical properties and the processes govering their formation. A high-resolution infrared spectrometer housing a tunable diode laser and combined with an effective laser ablation source for the cluster production has been used to study the molecular properties of small carbon clusters; reported herein is the first gas-phase spectrum of linear C10.

The Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Spectrum of HC(3)N in the Ground and Vibrationally Excited States.

The pure rotational spectrum of the astrophysically very important linear molecule cyanoacetylene, HC(3)N, in the ground and vibrationally excited states has been studied in selected regions from 118 to 814 GHz using the Cologne terahertz spectrometer. Vibrational satellites appendant to the following vibrational states have been recorded and analyzed (v(4), v(5), v(6), v(7)): (0, 0, 0, 1), (0, 0, 0, 2), (0, 0, 1, 0), (0, 0, 1, 1), (1, 0, 0, 0), (1, 0, 0, 1), and the Fermi resonance systems (0, 1, 0, 0)/(0, 0, 0, 3) and (1, 0, 0, 2)/(0, 2, 0, 0)(0e). With the exception of the latter resonance system, all states have been fitted within experimental accuracy. This work provides improved rest frequencies for the astronomical community and may also be beneficial in the improvement of global fits. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Rotational Spectra of the Thiosulfeno Radical, HSS and DSS, between 0.3 and 0.9 THz.

The rotational spectra of the HSS and DSS radicals were studied in selected regions between 331 and 883 GHz. The radicals were produced by discharging a gaseous mixture of hydrogen (or deuterium) and hydrogen sulfide in the cell. The observation of the b-type Q-branch and R-branch lines with K(a) = 2-1 and 3-2 for HSS and DSS, respectively, as well as the a-type R-branch lines allowed the improvement and the determination of the molecular constants among them (in MHz) We have reevaluated the harmonic force field of HSS and the ground state average and approximate equilibrium structural parameters. For the latter, we obtained r(HS) = 135.23 pm, r(SS) = 196.03 pm, and angle = 101.74 degrees. These results are compared with those from previous and own quantum chemical calculations as well as with results of related molecules. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

The Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Spectrum and the Dipole Moment of Ethylenimine.

The rotational spectrum of ethylenimine (aziridine, c-C(2)H(4)NH) has been investigated in selected regions from 118 to 950 GHz using the Cologne terahertz spectrometer. About 320 lines have been measured spanning the quantum numbers 2

The Rotational Spectrum of SO(2) and the Determination of the Hyperfine Constants and Nuclear Magnetic Shielding Tensors of (33)SO(2) and SO(17)O.

Precise frequencies for the 1(11)-2(02) transition of (33)SO(2) and SO(17)O in natural isotopic abundance have been obtained near 12 GHz by microwave Fourier transform spectroscopy in order to yield improved hyperfine constants. Nuclear spin-rotation coupling constants have been determined experimentally for (33)SO(2) for the first time. The spin-rotation constants have been used to derive nuclear magnetic shielding parameters. These parameters are compared with values for the isoelectronic O(3) molecule. The transition mentioned above was also measured for (32)SO(2), (34)SO(2), SO(18)O, and vibrationally excited (v(2) = 1) (32)SO(2). For (33)SO(2), some transitions with large hyperfine splitting were also recorded in the millimeter-wave region. Continuing our investigations of the rotational spectra of SO(2) in the submillimeter region, several transitions of SO(17)O have been recorded with the Cologne terahertz spectrometer between 540 and 840 GHz with J and K(a) up to 63 and 16, respectively. Transitions with high K(a), up to 28, have been recorded with the JPL laser sideband spectrometer between 1.8 and 3.2 THz. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Sub-Doppler Measurements of the Rotational Spectrum of (13)C(16)O.

The five lowest J rotational transitions of (13)C(16)O have been measured by saturation-dip spectroscopy to an accuracy of about 2 kHz, employing phase-stabilized backward-wave oscillators (BWOs). These highly precise measurements cover the transitions from J = 2 <-- 1 to J = 6 <-- 5 with frequencies ranging from 220 to 661 GHz. For each of the five observed rotational transitions, the narrow linewidths of the saturation dips (about 20 kHz) permitted the resolution of the hyperfine splitting for the first time. This splitting is caused by the (13)C-nuclear spin-rotation interaction yielding a value for the nuclear spin-rotation coupling constant of C(I)((13)C(16)O). If combined with the beam measurements (C(I)((13)C(16)O) = 32.63(10) kHz), a slight J-dependence of the spin-rotation coupling constant can be determined (C(J) = 30 +/- 13 Hz). In addition, we have measured in the Doppler-limited mode several higher J rotational line positions of (13)C(16)O up to 991 GHz with an accuracy of 5 kHz. The two line positions (J = 12 <-- 11 and J = 14 <-- 13) were recorded by multiplying BWO frequency with an accuracy of 100 kHz. The rotational transitions J = 17 <-- 16 and J = 18 <-- 17 were measured with an accuracy between 15 and 25 kHz by using the Cologne sideband spectrometer for terahertz applications COSSTA. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Submillimeter Detection of the van der Waals Stretching Vibration of the Ar-CO Complex.

With the Cologne submillimeter-wave supersonic jet spectrometer, we extended molecular jet spectroscopy with backward wave oscillators up to frequencies of about 600 GHz. For the first time, the van der Waals stretching vibration of the Ar-CO molecular complex was detected in direct absorption. We measured 13 ro-vibrational transitions (Kvstretch = 1 <-- 0, Ka = 0 <-- 0) in the frequency range from 528 to 600 GHz and additionally the two R(3) K doublet (Ka = 4 <-- 3) pure rotational transitions at 447 GHz with an accuracy of about 200 kHz. The ro-vibrational transitions were assigned and fitted within experimental accuracy to a simple Hamiltonian taking into account the Coriolis interaction between the stretching and bending states, i.e., between vstretch = 1, Ka = 0, and vbend = 1, Ka = 1. The intensity of the transitions in the van der Waals stretching mode was estimated to be a factor of 5-10 less than that in the bending mode of Ar-CO. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The Ground State Rotational Spectra of HDCO and D2CO.

The ground state rotational spectra of HDCO and D2CO have been measured from 5 to 2000 GHz. These new measurements together with older ones have been fitted to a standard A-reduced Watson-type Hamiltonian. The accuracy of the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants has been significantly improved. It has to be noted that it was necessary to include octic constants. The experimental constants are compared to ab initio predictions. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Terahertz Spectroscopy of the Amidogen Radical, NH2.

The rotational spectrum of the NH2 radical in its &Xtilde;2B1 ground vibronic state was investigated between 614 and 1003 GHz. One hundred fifty-nine newly observed lines (188 hyperfine components) of six rotational transitions with 0

Temperature-Dependent Line Shift and Broadening of CO Infrared Transitions.

The temperature dependence of lineshift and broadening of the rovibrational transitions R(18) and R(20) of the CO fundamental band, perturbed by Ar, N2, O2, and H2, have been measured with high frequency accuracy and at temperatures between 160 and 270 K in steps of 20 K. A wavelength stabilized tunable diode laser spectrometer has been combined with a low temperature long path cell of 134 m absorption length and 1 m basis length. For all measurements the CO pressure was below 0.1 mbar to avoid self-shift and self-broadening. In case of line broadening the temperature dependence is quite well reproduced by an exponential relation, b(T) = b(T0)(T/T0)-n. For all foreign gases, the exponent n has been obtained (0.53

The ND Radical: Laboratory Measurement of the N = 2-1 Rotational Transition at 1 THz.

The N = 2-1 pure rotational transition of the ND radical (X3Sigma-) near 1 THz was measured with the Cologne terahertz spectrometer. The ND radical was produced in a dc discharge of a flowing mixture of deuterated ammonia and helium. Frequencies of five strong fine-structure transitions with associated hyperfine components were precisely measured and analyzed to determine a complete set of accurate molecular constants, e.g., the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants B0 = 263265.4735(45) MHz and D0 = 14.62876(74) MHz, together with the fine and hyperfine constants. Based on these constants, the rotational frequencies of ND up to 4 THz were predicted with the aim to guide future astronomical searches. For completeness we also include similar predictions for NH. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Millimeter and Submillimeter-Wave Spectrum of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ground and v3 = 1 Vibrational States.

The first measurements of the millimeter- and submillimeter (mm/submm)-wave rotational-torsional transitions in the v3 = 1 ground torsional state (n = 0) of hydrogen peroxide are reported. The 149 newly measured transitions extend from 72 to 623 GHz in frequency and up to J = 32 and Ka = 3 in rotational quantum number. Additional measurements in the ground vibrational and torsional state around 1 THz are also reported. These data, along with all previously published microwave, mm/submm-wave, and far infrared data in the ground and v3 = 1 vibrational state, along with recent infrared measurements, have been fitted simultaneously to their respective experimental uncertainties using a multi-state Hamiltonian that includes Fermi- and Coriolis-type interactions. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.