Fine and hyperfine interactions in CrN and MoN

Pure rotational transitions of (CrN)-Cr-52-N-14 and (MoN)-Mo-98-N-14 radica ls in their X (4)Sigma(-) state were recorded using a pump/probe microwave- optical double resonance (PPMODR) technique from which the hyperfine parame ters of N-14 (I=1) were precisely determined. In addition, the (0,0) A (4)P i-X (4)Sigma band system of (CrN)-Cr-53 was recorded from which the hyperfi ne parameters of Cr-53 (I=3/2) were determined. The newly determined hyperf ine interactions for Cr-53 and N-14 in CrN and N-14 in MoN and the previous ly determined hyperfine interactions for other early transition metal monon itrides were analyzed using a simple, single configurational, model. The im proved set of fine structure parameters for the CrN and MoN are discussed i n terms of possible electronic state distributions. (C) 1999 American Insti tute of Physics. [S0021-9606(99)00638-8].