The spectroscopic parameters of sodium cyanide, NaCN (X 1A'), revisited

The study of the rotational spectrum of NaCN (X $^1$A') has recently been extended in frequency and in quantum numbers. Difficulties have been encountered in fitting the transition frequencies within experimental uncertainties. Various trial fits traced the difficulties to the incomplete diagonalization of the Hamiltonian. Employing fewer spectroscopic parameters than before, the transition frequencies could be reproduced within experimental uncertainties on average. Predictions of $a$-type $R$-branch transitions with $K_a \le 7$ up to 570 GHz should be reliable to better than 1 MHz. In addition, modified spectroscopic parameters have been derived for the 13C isotopic species of NaCN.Comment: 5 pages, no figure, J. Mol. Spectrosc., appeared; CDMS links update

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.NSF [AST-1515568]24 month embargo; Available online 7 October 2016This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]