Knowledge Bank

A rotationally resolved spectrum of the $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}\Pi -X2\Pi$ electronic transition of $C6H$ and $C6D$ in the gas phase is presented, using cavity ring down spectroscopy in combination with a supersonic slit nozzle discharge technique. The source offers the possibility to generate a dense and cold carbon plasma that is stable for many hours. Both the experiment and the first results, aimed at locating the electronic transitions of neutral carbon chains of possible astrophysical interest, will be presented.