Cavity ring-down laser absorption spectroscopy of YBr and YI

Abstract

The absorption spectra of YBr and YI between 445 and 510 nm have been investigated using the technique of laser vaporization/reaction with free jet expansion and cavity ring down laser absorption spectroscopy. Seven vibronic transition bands of the D¹Π–X¹Σ⁺ system of YBr were recorded and studied. Spectra of both Y⁷⁹Br and Y⁸¹Br isotopic molecules were observed and analysed, which yielded vibrational constants for the D¹Π state. Eighteen vibronic transition bands of the D¹Π – X¹Σ⁺ system of YI have also been recorded and analysed, and accurate vibrational constants were obtained. A comparison of spectroscopic parameters of D¹Π state of yttrium monohalides shows the strength of the halogen element as a ligand in splitting the d orbitals of the transition metal atom, Y.

Keywords:

• CRDS
• YBr
• YI
• yttrium monohalides

Acknowledgements

The work described here was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21107026); the Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2009ZM0126) and a grant from the Research Grants Council of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No.: HKU 7138/99P). We would also like to thank Professor Colin M. Western of University of Bristol for sending us a copy of the PGOPHER software and helping in using the program.