Novel magnetic interactions in the open-shell NO-HF complex

The J' = 3/2 (f) - J " = 1/2 (f) rotational transition of the open-shell van der Waals complex NO-HF has been observed using a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The transition shows a rich hyperfine structure due to coupling of the NO electronic spin and orbital angular momenta with the N nucleus and also with both the H and F nuclei in a novel intermolecular magnetic hyperfine interaction. The N hyperfine coupling reveals the splitting of the II state degeneracy into A' and A " states, with the A' state lower in energy. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.