Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of the A3Π–X3Σ− Transition of OH

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 840; no. 2
• Main Authors: Hodges, James N, Bernath, Peter F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia IOP Publishing 10-05-2017
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Chemical speciation; Fourier transforms; Interstellar chemistry; Interstellar matter; Interstellar medium; Organic chemistry; Spectroscopy; Ultraviolet spectra
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa6bf5

The OH+ ion is of critical importance to the chemistry in the interstellar medium and is a prerequisite for the generation of more complex chemical species. Submillimeter and ultraviolet observations rely on high quality laboratory spectra. Recent measurements of the fundamental vibrational band and previously unanalyzed Fourier transform spectra of the near-ultraviolet A 3Π−X 3Σ− electronic spectrum, acquired at the National Solar Observatory at Kitt Peak in 1989, provide an excellent opportunity to perform a global fit of the available data. These new optical data are approximately four times more precise as compared to the previous values. The fit to the new data provides updated molecular constants, which are necessary to predict the OH+ transition frequencies accurately to support future observations. These new constants are the first published using the modern effective Hamiltonian for a linear molecule. These new molecular constants allow for easy simulation of transition frequencies and spectra using the PGOPHER program. The new constants improve simulations of higher J-value infrared transitions, and represent an improvement of an order of magnitude for some constants pertaining to the optical transitions.