Knowledge Bank

The family of molecules consisting of an alkaline earth metal atom bonded to an organic ligand has been under intensive investigation recently, since these molecules play a significant role in synthesis of organic compounds, and since some members like MgNC and MgCN have been detected in stellar atmospheres. Our group has previously studied CaCCH, MgCCH, CaOCH$3$, and SrOCH$3$, and in this work we consider the $A~ 2\Pi -X~ 2\Sigma +$ transition of SrCCH and SrCCD. The molecules were created in a pulsed-jet laser ablation source through reaction of strontium atoms ablated from a solid rod with methane gas entrained in helium. High-resolution spectra were collected through laser-induced fluorescence following excitation of the molecules formed in the jet with a cw ring dye laser. Results of the analysis are compared to those of a previous high-resolution study of SrCCH.} \underline{\textbf{233}}, pp. 197-202 (2005)} The data provide information on the C-H bond length via the isotopic substitution, and the lambda-doubling parameter $p$ allows for an estimate of the position of the $B~ 2\Sigma +$ state for both isotopes.