ELECTRONIC SPECTROSCOPY OF ZrCH IN THE VISIBLE REGION

Abstract

Zirconium methylidyne, ZrCH(D) has been produced by reaction of $CH_{4}$ or $CD_{4}$ with laser-ablated zirconium in a free-jet expansion. The visible-region laser-induced fluorescence spectrum has been recorded. Wavelength-resolved fluorescence spectra have given the ZrCH(D) ground state frequencies $\nu_{2} (bend) = 580 (466) cm^{-1}$ and $\nu_{3} (Zr-C stretch) = 870 (810) cm^{-1}$. Several perpendicular transitions are observed between 590 and 640 nm. Analysis of rotationally-resolved spectra of ZrCH and ZrCD will be presented and the geometry of these molecules will be discussed.