SPECTROSCOPY OF CRF - ROTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE A(6)SIGMA(+)-X(6)SIGMA(+) BAND SYSTEM IN THE 1-MU-M REGION

Five vibrational bands belonging to the A(6) Sigma(+)-X(6) Sigma(+) band system of the CrF radical, located between 8900 and 11 700 cm(-1), have been recorded in emission with Fourier transform techniques using a resolution of 0.025 cm(-1). A rotational analysis of the bands has been carried out. The X(6) Sigma(+) and A(6) Sigma(+) states are interpreted as arising from the molecular configurations ...[1 delta(2)4 pi(2)]8 sigma(2)9 sigma(1) and ...[1 sigma(2)4 pi(2)10 sigma(1)]8 sigma(2), respectively. The v = 0-3 levels of the A(6) Sigma(+) state are locally perturbed by a II state, which has a small first-order spin-orbit parameter (A = 25.76 cm(-1)) and is more bound than A(6) Sigma(+). Arguments are proposed to suggest that this perturber is a regular (II)-I-4 state with a leading molecular configuration ...[1 sigma(2)4 pi(1)]8 sigma(2)9 sigma(2) with an admixture of ...[1 sigma(3)4 pi(1)]8 sigma(2)9 sigma(1). Improved molecular constants have been derived for the X(6) Sigma(+) and A(6) Sigma(+) states. These constants are in accord with previous results of Dubov et al. An additional band of CrF at 8000 cm(-1), presumably representing a transition within the sextet manifold, has also been recorded at low resolution. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.