Magnetic Hyperfine Structure in Diatomic Molecules

Abstract

A general theory of the magnetic hyperfine structure in diatomic molecules, including states other than $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ states, is given. The magnetic hyperfine interaction is derived from the Dirac equation for the electron in the molecular potential field. First-order hyperfine structure formulas are given for the various vector coupling schemes characteristic of molecular states. The $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ magnetic hyperfine structures are obtained from second order hyperfine interactions. Applications to the ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$${\mathrm{O}}^{17}$ microwave spectra are discussed.