Millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectra of CuF and AgF in the X1Σ+ electronic ground states

The millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectra of CuF and AgF in the X(1)Sigma (+) states were observed by employing a source-modulated microwave spectrometer. The CuF and AgF molecules were generated in a free space cell by a dc glow discharge in CF4 and Ar. The copper and silver atoms were respectively supplied by sputtering from a copper cathode and silver sheets placed on the inner surface of a stainless-steel cathode. Rotational transitions of (CuF)-Cu-63, (CuF)-Cu-65, (AgF)-Ag-107, and (AgF)-Ag-109 in highly excited and ground vibrational states were measured in the region between 200 and 400 GHz. The transition frequencies were analyzed by a least-squares method using a combined-isotopomer Dunham-type term energy expression. (C) 2001 Academic Press.