Analysis of the optical spectrum of gaseous ytterbium monofluoride

Abstract

Three systems of the YbF molecule have been observed both in absorption and emission in the region 4600 to 5700 Å. A vibrational analysis shows that the transitions arise from a common lower state, assumed to be the ground state. A rotational analysis of the 0–0 band of the A₂–X system, together with partial analyses of the other two 0–0 bands are presented in this paper. Molecular constants (cm^–1) for the observed states of ¹⁷⁴YbF are summarised below: [graphic omitted]. The value of r_e for the ground state is 2.016 Å.