Knowledge Bank

Numerous transitions involving members of the branches of the (1,0) and (2,0) $A2\Pi -X2\Sigma +$ band of $CO+$ and the (5,0) $A2\Pi -X2\Sigma +$ band of $N2+$ have been observed using the technique of Laser Induced charge Transfer (LICT). This technique uses indirect mass spectroscopic detection to monitor cw dye laser induced electronic transitions. A near room temperature thermal energy distribution of ions was generated using a selected ion flow tube (SIFT) and the transitions were recorded at Doppler limited resolution (FWHM 1.2GHz). The band systems that were observed showed no indication of heterogeneous perturbations, and therefore an effective Hamiltonian approach was used in the data reduction. The parameters for the $v\prime =5$ level of $N2+$ agreed well with those extrapolated from the equilibrium $parameters1$. Equilibrium parameters for the $A2\Pi$ state of $CO+$ were determined by combining our $v=1$ and 2 results with the previously determined $v=oCO+$ $parameters.2$ A discussion of the technique and results will be presented.