Band-contour analysis of the fluorescence-excitation spectrum of the glyoxal • Ar₂ complex permits the determination of its structure. The two Ar atoms are found to be at the same side of the glyoxal plane 3.5 A apart, and they occupy sites with a C₂ symmetry and undergo large-amplitude zero-point motion. Many van der Waals vibrational levels in the electronic ground state are detected by using stimulated-emission spectroscopy. A pair-potential model, with parameters taken from previous studies of Ar-Ar, Ar-CO, and Ar-H interactions, is used to calculate a structure that resembles that from spectral analysis. However, a normal-mode analysis based on this potential was only partially successful in predicting the energy and providing the assignment for the van der Waals vibrational levels. The significance of the electronic and vibrational band shifts and the difference between the A- and X-state structures are also discussed.

© 1990 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription