DETECTION OF THE RbO RADICAL BY MICROWAVE SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract

The rotational spectra of the $^{85}RbO$ radical in the v=0 and v=1 vibrational states and of $^{87}RbO$ radical in the v=0 state were observed in sub-millimeter wave region (300-400GHz). The RbO radical was generated by the reaction of rubidium vapor with $N_{2}O$ in a heat pipe cell. Rubidium vapor was prepared by the reaction of RbCl and lithium at about $500^{\circ}C$. Analysis of the observed spectra yielded the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants, and spin-rotation interaction constants in each vibrational state. Contrary to the LiO, NaO, and KO radicals, RbO is shown to have $^{2}\Sigma^{+}$ ground state.