Knowledge Bank

The vibration-rotation spectrum of PH and the $A2\Pi -X2\Sigma +$ electronic transition of CP were recorded in the infrared with the Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the McMath Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak. CP and PH were made in a microwave discharge of $P4$ vapor and $H2$. The carbon required to make CP was present as a deposit on the discharge tube walls. The 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 and 4-3 vibration-rotation bands of the $X3\Sigma -$ state of PH were observed and molecular constants extracted. For CP the 0-0, 1-0, 3-1, 0-1, 0-2 bands of the $A2\Pi -X2\Sigma +$ transition were observed from $4000-8600cm-1$. The A-X transition of CP is analogous to the red system of CN.