Jet-cooled laser-induced dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy of NiC: Observation of low-lying Ω=0+ state

Laser-induced dispersed fluorescence spectra of (NiC)-Ni-58-C-12 molecules, produced in a free-jet apparatus, have been studied. A new low-lying Omega = 0(+) state has been observed at T-e = 5178 (6) cm (1). Based on previous ab initio calculations this state is plausibly assigned as 0(+) spin-orbit component of the first excited (3)Pi state. The term energies of vibrational levels up to v = 10 for X-1 Sigma(+) ground and v = 3 for Omega = 0(+) states have been determined. The harmonic and anharmonic wavenumbers respectively equal to 833 (4) and 6.7 (13) cm (1) for Omega = 0(+) state have been measured. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.