Investigating the electronic states of BaOH by V-type double resonance spectroscopy and ab initio calculations: Further evidence of perturbation from the Ã′ Δ state

J.D. Tandy, J.-G. Wang, P.F. Bernath, J. Liévin

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Abstract

A single band belonging to the à Δ- X̃ band system has been rotationally analyzed for each of the two isotopologues, BaOH and BaOD, using high-resolution V-type optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. BaOH and BaOD molecules were synthesized in a Broida-type oven. High-resolution spectra were recorded by monitoring the dip in fluorescence of the B - X transition excited by a single-mode ring dye laser (pump laser), whilst a single-mode Ti:Sapphire laser scanned the corresponding à Δ-X̃ transition. The observed spectra resemble a typical Π- Σ transition, believed to emanate from single or triple quanta of the bending vibration in the Ã Δ state. Measured rotational lines have been assigned and rotational and fine structure parameters determined through a combined least-squares fit with the millimeter-wave pure rotational data of the X state. Previous analyses of the à Π-X̃ transitions of BaOH and BaOD yielded significantly different spin-orbit coupling constants, which were attributed to possible global and local perturbations arising from vibrationally-excited bands of the A Δ state. Although the newly observed A Δ state bands have not been conclusively assigned a specific spin state, the derived Ω-doubling constants show significant Π1 character, further indicating strong interactions between the A Π and A Δ states of BaOH. To validate these conclusions, ab initio calculations have been carried out to further understand the nature of the BaOH excited states. The D̃ , D̃ , C̃ Π, B̃ , à Π, Ã Δ and X̃ states have been characterized by means of multireference configuration interaction calculations using the MOLPRO software. Calculated vertical term energies show relatively good agreement with existing optical data.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-50
Number of pages7
JournalJOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
Volume270
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2011

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