Laser spectroscopy of NiO: The 3Σ− ground state

Abstract

The results of the first rotational analysis of NiO are reported. Several bands in the green spectra region were resolved and analyzed using laser induced fluorescence (LIF). It was found that the symmetry of the well behaved ground electronic state is 3Σ− as was predicted by ab initio calculations. Moreover, the analysis showed that the angular momentum coupling scheme can be described as intermediate between Hund’s coupling cases (b) and (c). A least-squares fit of the ground state combination differences gave re=1.627 Å.