Experiments
Electronic spectra of C3 radicals were taken in a molecular beam using an electric discharge that we have used for many free radical studies. The gas mixture used was typically 1% C2H2 in argon though most organic compounds give strong C3 signals. Typical rotational temperatures are 10-20 K, with vibrational temperatures rather higher. Laser induced fluorescence spectra were taken using a Nd:YAG pumped pulsed dye laser with a resolution of ~0.15 cm–1 and with a higher resolution (0.01 cm–1) laser system developed in our laboratory. Our work concentrated on 24000 – 30000 cm–1; this entire region showed a strong dense spectrum.
Survey Spectrum
Fragment Expanded by 30
The two spectra above are taken with a conventional pulsed dye laser;
the picture below compares the dye laser with the high resolution system:
