The permanent electric dipole moment of MgNC

The (A) over tilde (2)Pi (1/2)-X (2)Sigma (+) band system of a molecular be am sample of magnesium isocyanide, (MgNC)-Mg-24, was recorded via laser ind uced fluorescence in the presence of a static electric field. The molecules were produced by ablating a solid magnesium rod in the presence of an acet onitrile/argon supersonic expansion. The magnitude of the permanent electri c dipole moments, \mu\, for (MgNC)-Mg-24 were determined to be 5.308(75) D and 6.138(46) D for the (0,0,0)(X) over tilde (2)Sigma (+) and (0,0,0)(A) o ver tilde (2)Pi (1/2) states, respectively. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.