The submillimeter wave spectrum of the protonated and deuterated carbon dioxide

Abstract

The submillimeter wave spectrum of the protonated carbon dioxide has been investigated in the 340–406 GHz frequency range by using a phase locked submillimeter carcinotron. A magnetically confined glow discharge in a mixture of CO2, H2/D2, and Ar has been used to produce the molecular ions. The rotational lines investigated are characterized by 15≤J≤18, Ka ≤5 for HCO+2 and 16≤J≤19, Ka ≤6 for DCO+2. From the analysis of the spectra, accurate molecular constants have been derived, leading to the prediction of transitions of astrophysical interest.