Characterization of the lowest-lying Π bending state of Ar–HCl by far infrared laser–Stark spectroscopy and molecular beam electric resonance

Abstract

Far infrared laser–Stark spectroscopy is used to populate an excited vibrational state in the van der Waals molecule, ArHCl, in a molecular beam. Microwave–far infrared double resonance allows the identification of this state as the first excited bending state of Π symmetry. Subsequent radio frequency electric resonance of the vibrationally excited molecule combined with far infrared–radio frequency two photon experiments gives the following spectroscopic constants: ν0−B′=33.9248(7) (cm−1), B′=1695.(20) (MHz), μ=0.265(3) (D), eqQaa=12.(7) (MHz), eqQbb−eqQcc=−73.927(23) (MHz), q1=−49.583(2) (MHz). These constants are compared with theoretical predictions obtained using previously suggested potential energy surfaces and are related to the presence of other nearby vibrational states.