Knowledge Bank

High resolution laser spectra of rhodium monochloride (RhCl) have been acquired in the green and blue regions of the visible spectrum. The molecules were produced via laser ablation of a rhodium target rod, followed by reaction with trichloromethane in a pulsed supersonic jet. Several electronic transitions have been observed and analysed between 19,700 and $23,100cm-1$. Two distinct lower state omega values have been determined: $\Omega =3$ which is consistent with the $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">3</mrow>}\Delta 3$ ground state observed for $RhH$ and $RhDa$, and $\Omega =2$ which curiously enough seems to be the ground state of $RhFbh$. As of yet, which $\Omega$ value represents the ground state is unknown as transitions from either of these states seem equally intense. Dispersed fluorescence (DF) scans have been taken from a number of the observed excited states yielding an estimate of $350\pm 20cm-1$ for a lower state vibrational frequency. The DF scans are also quite complicated indicating the presence of a number of low-lying states with energies less than $3200cm-1$ above the ground state. Work on the RhCl molecule is continuing and results will be discussed.