THE FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED-SPECTRUM OF PN

The infrared absorption spectrum of the PN molecule has been recorded for the first time using an FTIR spectrometer. A flowing discharge of PCl3 and N-2 was used to produce short-lived PN molecules at room temp erature in a long-path cell. Spectra of the fundamental transition wer e recorded at a nominal resolution of 0.02 cm(-1) and calibrated again st accurately known water vapor lines present in the background to giv e an absolute and relative accuracy on the order of 0.0004 cm(-1). The line positions measured in this work were analyzed in terms of effect ive band constants and combined with previous high-temperature microwa ve and infrared data to produce accurate spectroscopic parameters for the ground state X(1) Sigma(+). (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.