THE BLUE-VIOLET TRANSITIONS OF NIF - IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW LOW-LYING (2)SIGMA STATE (T-0=252 CM(-1))

Laser-induced fluorescence experiments allowed the study of six electr onic transitions of NiF in the blue-violet spectral region (420-470 nm ). A new low-lying (2) Sigma state (T-0 = 252 cm(-1)) has been identif ied. A large spin-rotation parameter (gamma = -0.952 cm(-1)) has been determined for this state. It has been possible to locate the Omega = 3/2 spin-orbit component (T-0 = 2223.7 cm(-1)) of the low-lying (2) De lta state. The spin-orbit splitting (1394 cm(-1)) is in good agreement with the theoretical value (1200 cm(-1)) expected from a molecular co nfiguration sigma(2) pi(4) delta(3) centered on the 3d(9) atomic shell of the Ni+ ion. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.