The near infrared electronic spectrum of tungsten methylidyne, WCH

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Abstract
The laser excitation spectrum of tungsten methylidyne, WCH, has been recorded in the 12 000–15 400 cm−1 region. A total of 14 vibronic bands of WCH and 16 bands of WCD have been observed in this region. Rotational analysis shows that the ground state is X̃3/2(2Δ), with the substitution structure r0(W≡C)=1.73665 Å and r0(C–H)=1.0765 Å. The excited vibronic levels have been assigned, on the basis of their WCH/WCD isotope shifts and their wavelength resolved fluorescence patterns, to three electronic states, Ã3/2(2Δ), B̃1/2(2Π), and C̃5/2(2Φ), at 12 090, 13 392, and 14 110 cm−1, respectively. The wavelength resolved fluorescence spectra have also established the low‐lying vibrational levels of the ground state. The ground state bending fundamental lies at 660 cm−1, while the W–C stretching frequency is 1006 cm−1; the corresponding frequencies in WCD are 501 cm−1 and 953 cm−1, respectively. No evidence for the C–H stretching frequency has been found. Emission has also been observed to a low‐lying electronic state, 813 cm−1 above the X̃3/2 state. The pattern of rotationally resolved emission to this state clearly indicates that it is a 4Σ1/2 state. Its bending frequency is 612 cm−1, and its W–C stretching frequency is 971 cm−1, indicating a slightly longer bond length than in the X̃3/2 state. High resolution cw laser spectra of the (0,0) bands of the two lowest excited electronic states [Ã3/2(2Δ) and B̃1/2(2Π)] reveal a small splitting of the four principal tungsten isotopes (182W, 183W, 184W, and 186W) which serves to confirm the presence of tungsten in the carrier. Hyperfine splitting associated with the 183W nucleus (I=1/2) has been observed for the (0,0) band of the Ã3/2−X̃3/2 system, allowing the electron configuration of the ground state to be elucidated.

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