Laboratory measurements of the (2,0) B2Δ5/2-X2Δ5/2 transition of nickel hydride using intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy This article is part of a Special Issue on Spectroscopy at the University of New Brunswick in honour of Colan Linton and Ron Lees.

Abstract

The (2,0) band of the B2Δ5/2-X2Δ5/2 transition has been recorded with rotational resolution using intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy. The gas phase NiH molecules were produced in an electric discharge using a nickel hollow cathode in a pure hydrogen atmosphere at 2–3 torr total pressure. Peak positions for the NiH isotopologues are presented for these transitions. Large isotopologue splittings are observed for B2Δ5/2-X2Δ5/2 (2,0) transitions. A strong perturbation is observed in the excited state at Jf′ = 6.5. NiH isotopologue ratios in stellar spectra can be used to determine the neutron to proton ratio, with a view to probing models of supernovae and star formation.