THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM OF RHENIUM MONONITRIDE

The rhenium mononitride radical has been produced in a molecular beam laser vaporization source and its laser-induced fluorescence spectrum has been observed in the 375-542 nm region. Sixteen new bands have bee n observed and rotational analyses have been carried out for 15 of the se. The bands have been classified into several electronic systems bas ed on Re-185/Re-187 isotopic shifts, Delta G(v + 1/2) vibrational quan ta, rotational constants, and excited state lifetimes. Three further b ands were previously identified as belonging to the [23.8]1-X0(+) syst em. In addition to the ReN study, an examination of the rotationally r esolved spectrum of ReO has shown that its ground state has Omega '' = 5/2. Electron configurations delta(2) sigma(2) and delta(3) sigma(2) have been proposed for the ground states of ReN and ReO, respectively. Possible electron configurations for the excited states of ReN have b een identified. (C) 1997 Academic Press.