Knowledge Bank

The $a3\Pi$ state of MgO was earlier characterized from perturbation of the $X1\Sigma +$ state. Doppler-limited, single mode, cw dye laser excitation spectra of the $B1\Sigma \leftarrow a3\Pi j$ bad system have been recorded in a $Mg+O3$ flame, while monitoring $B1\Sigma +\to X1\Sigma +$ fluorescence. Improved rotational constants have been determined for the $a3\Pi j$ state and will be reported. The role played by the metastable $a3\Pi j$ electronic state in the $Mg+03,Mg+O3+CO,Mg+N2O$, and $Mg + N_{2}0 + $CO flames will be discussed.