Laser magnetic resonance in supersonic plasmas: The rotational spectrum of SH+

Abstract
The rotational spectrum of v=0 and v=1 X 3Σ− SH+ was measured by laser magnetic resonance. Rotationally cold (Tr=30 K), vibrationally excited (Tv=3000 K) ions were generated in a corona excited supersonic expansion. The use of this source to identify ion signals is described. Improved molecular parameters were obtained; term values are presented from which astrophysically important transitions may be calculated. Accurate hyperfine parameters for both vibrational levels were determined and the vibrational dependence of the Fermi contact interaction was resolved. The hyperfine parameters agree well with recent many-body perturbation theory calculations.