Abstract

Using laser spectroscopic techniques, namely Stimulated Emission Spectroscopy (SES) and Stark Level Crossing Spectroscopy, in combination with molecular beam techniques, we can now study vibrational levels with energies from zero to tens-of-thousands wavenumbers with sub-Doppler resolution and single rotational level selectivity. Molecular species with concentrations as low as 10⁻⁴ Torr can be studied. Low-frequency intermolecular van der Waals vibrational levels in a weakly bound complex can be directly observed for the elucidation of inter-molecular forces. Short-lived radicals can be studied at high vibrational excitation. The dissociation behavior of a molecule with vibrational energy higher than the dissociation barrier can be examined with single vibrational quantum state resolution.

Structure and van der Waals vibrational frequencies of the glyoxal · Ar₂ complex studied by fluorescence excitation and stimulated-emission spectroscopy

Donald Frye, Luc Lapierre, and Hai-Lung Dai
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 7(9) 1905-1914 (1990)

Fluorescence-dip and stimulated-emission-pumping laser-induced-fluorescence spectra of van der Waals molecules containing benzonitrile

Masao Takayanagi and Ichiro Hanazaki
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 7(9) 1898-1904 (1990)

Material applications of the far-infrared free-electron laser

John D. Simon, John E. Crowell, John H. Weare, and David R. Miller
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(5) 1035-1044 (1989)

Stimulated-emission pumping spectroscopy of highly excited states of CH₃O(X˜E2): zero-order vibrational states at 3000 cm⁻¹ ≤ 9000 cm⁻¹

A. Geers, J. Kappert, F. Temps, and J. W. Wiebrecht
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 7(9) 1935-1943 (1990)

Photoacoustic spectroscopy of vibrational overtones in polyatomic molecules

Howard L. Fang and Robert L. Swofford
Appl. Opt. 21(1) 55-60 (1982)