∧-type doublets and lifetime broadening in the B2Π–X2Π electronic origin band of C6H

Abstract

We present a high-resolution study on the B2Π-X2Π electronic origin band spectrum of the C6H radical with its center at ~18990 cm-1 The C6H radicals are produced in a pulsed supersonic slit-jet discharge source and detected in direct absorption by sensitive cavity ring-down spectroscopy. By using a home-made narrow linewidth nanosecond pulsed laser source, the experimental spectrum allows to resolve the ∧-type doublet fine structures in high-J rotational lines. A set of improved B2Π state constants, including the ∧-type doubling parameters of p′ = −1.16(9)x10−3 cm−1q′ = -1.22(7)x10−4 cm−1 are determined from analysis of the experimental spectrum. An analysis on the spectral line profile has resulted in a significant linewidth broadening of ~0.05±0.01 cm−1, corresponding to a B2Π state lifetime of ~100±20 ps. The short lifetime of the excited B2Π state is proposed due to fast internal vibronic couplings to high-lying vibronic levels of lower electronic states.