ROTATIONAL SPECTRUM OF THE METHANE-WATER VAN DER WAALS COMPLEX.

Abstract

Using rotational constants obtained by Busarow and co-workers in their ground breaking work on the far infrared spectrum of the $CH_{4}-H_{2}O^{1}$ we have located nine $J=2-1$ rotational transitions in the region of 17-17,6 GHz using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. A careful analysis of first and second order Stark effects displayed by these transitions allows us to confirm a number of the symmetry state labels previously assigned by Busarow and $co-workers^{1}$ for some of the rotational-internal rotor states observed. Electric dipole moments determined from the various transitions range from $\mu a = 0.6$ to 0.8 Debye. A discussion of these Stark effect measurements will be presented.