A NEW HYDRIDE SPECTRUM NEAR 7666{\AA}.

Abstract

Whilst searching for emission spectra of $AlH^{+}$ an aluminum hollow cathode lamp was run with a mixture of deuterium and argon. The lamp was found to emit a simple band with wide rotational structure near $7666{\AA}$. The band has P, Q and R branches which are clearly resolved into doublets; the magnitude of the doubling is approximately independent of the rotational quantum number. A similar band was also observed when the lamp was run with hydrogen and argon but the lines were broad and consequently no doublet splitting was resolved. Preliminary rotational analysis gives B values which seem to be too large for $AlH^{+}$ or $AlD^{+}$. The identity of the emitter will be discussed.