Lifetime, Λ-doubling and hyperfine structure measurements in the A 2Π excited states of ZnH, ZnD, CdH and CdD

Abstract

The hydride (or deuteride) is obtained in the ground state by radiofrequency discharge in a mixture of H2 (or D2) and metal vapor at a total pressure of about 10-2 torr. A selective excitation of the A 2Π3/2,1/2 rotational levels is obtained by a pulsed dye laser. Lifetimes are obtained by sampling the fluorescent decay : τ ≃ 70 ns. Electric radiofrequency resonances between the ∧-doubled levels of A 2Π 3/2, v' = 0, provide the Λ-doubling separation in the four molecules and the hyperfine structure in the hydrides. The measured values in MHz of the relevant parameters (2 a + c) and b for the hyperfine structure, and q for the Λ-doubling are : [TABLE]