High-resolution visible laser spectroscopy of HfF

The electronic spectrum of hafnium monofluoride has been investigated from 415 to 725 run using a laser-ablation/molecular beam laser-induced fluorescence spectrometer. Several electronic systems were observed and data have been recorded at both low and high resolution. High resolution rotational analyses of the [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [19.7]0.5-X1.5 (0-0), [20.0]0.5-X1.5 (0-0). [21.1]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [22.3]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), and [23.3]0.5-X1.5 (0-0) subbands have been carried out, resulting in accurate values for the ground and excited state effective rotational constants. Furthermore, the rotational analysis of the subbands assigned as [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (1-0) and [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (1-0) allows us to determine values of 589.7569(6) and 588.9076(6)cm(-1) for DeltaG'(1/2) [17.4] and DeltaG'(1/2) [17.9], respectively. From dispersed fluorescence data we find that DeltaG"(1/2) = 670(13) cm(-1) for the ground state and that another low-lying electronic state lies at similar to2850cm(-1). The data also suggests that a second low-lying electronic state lies at similar to5200 cm(-1) above the ground state. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.