Communication: The permanent electric dipole moment of thorium monoxide, ThO

Abstract

The optical Stark spectrum of the E(0(+)) - X(1)Σ(+) (1,0) band of thorium monoxide, ThO, was recorded and analyzed to determine the permanent electric dipole moments, μ, for the E(0(+)) (v = 1) and X(1)Σ(+) (v = 0) states. Values of 2.782 ± 0.012 D (X) and 3.534 ± 0.010 D (E) were obtained. The uncertainties are 2σ statistical error. The systematic errors are estimated to be less than 1%. The experimental results are used to access the quality of electronic structure calculations of the properties of the X(1)Σ(+) (v = 0) state.