LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF HFO - LINKAGE OF THE SINGLET AND TRIPLET-STATE MANIFOLDS

The 5698-Angstrom band of HfO has been reexamined using wavelength-res olved fluorescence excitation techniques. Spectra were recorded at a r esolution of 0.03 cm(-1). Previously, this band had been assigned to t he B (l) Pi-X(l) Sigma(+) 0-0 transition. Analysis of the rotational s tructure indicated that the excited state electronic assignment for th is band should be changed from B-1 Pi to b(3) Pi(1). Based on this rev ision, accurate term energies for the triplet state manifold are repor ted. Ligand field theory calculations were used to suggest electronic configurations for the excited states of HfO. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.