Pure Rotational Spectrum of CCl+

Abstract

Abstract The pure rotational spectrum of the CCl+ (X 1Σ+) cation has been observed for the first time using a cryogenic ion trap apparatus and applying an action spectroscopy scheme. The major isotopic species 12C35Cl+ was observed up to the J = 4 ← 3 transition around 191 GHz and 12C37Cl+ was observed up to J = 3 ← 2. All transitions exhibit (partially) resolved hyperfine structure from the presence of the chlorine nuclei (both I = 3/2). This study provides the data needed for future sensitive radio astronomical searches for CCl+ in space.