Observation of direct and collision-induced double resonance of a molecular ion

Abstract

The double resonance technique has been applied to a molecular ion. We have observed microwave-infrared double resonance signals of HN+2 produced in a hollow cathode discharge at low pressures (20–200 mTorr). A color center laser with 2–20 mWatts of power provided the infrared signal radiation, and a millimeter wave klystron with ∼400 mWatts of power provided the microwave pump radiation. The frequency of the microwave radiation was swept and the double resonance signal was detected through variation of the infrared power. Using the R(1) and P(1)infrared transitions we have observed the J=1←0 rotational transition in both the ground state and the ν1 state. We have observed not only the direct three-level double resonance signals, but also collision-induced four-level double resonance signals indicating the existence of some selection rules for the Langevin potential dominated ion–neutral interaction. The major results of this paper are: (1) The double resonance method is now applicable to molecular ions and (2) ion–molecule collisions have selection rules.