Spectra of Ammonia at 2.5 Microns and Some Electronic Bands of Ionized Carbon-Monoxide and Nco

This dissertation deals with the observation and interpretation of some of the vibration-rotation bands of ammonia occurring in the infrared and the electronic bands of CO('+) and NCO located in the ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ammonia spectrum in the infrared at 2.5 (mu)m (4000 cm('-1)) has been recorded with a Fourier transform spectrometer at a resolution of 0.02cm('-1). Out of the many thousands of spectral lines that have been observed, a combination band and its associated hot band have been identified and successfully assigned. Spectra of both the normal ammonia and its 15-N isotopic variety have been studied. In the case of the normal ammonia molecule, the present assignments and the determinaton of molecular parameters represent an order of magnitude improvement over what has been reported previously. For 15-N ammonia, the assignments of the combination and hot bands and the determination of molecular parameters for their upper vibrational state have been accomplished for the first time. A 10-meter focal length spectrometer equipped with a 16 in x 8 in precision echelle grating has been modified by incorporating a 20 in plate holder for investigating the spectra in the ultraviolet. This technology had to be developed for studies in the ultraviolet region because the laboratory has been traditionally performing research in the infrared. The emission spectra of the First Negative bands of normal CO('+) and the Carbon-13 enriched CO('+) have been photographed and analyzed. For the isotopic CO('+) molecule, the present study provides the first observation of the spin-doubling effect and the first determination of some of its molecular parameters. Absorption spectra of NCO and its N-15 enriched isotope in the ultraviolet obtained by flash photolysis have been analyzed. Molecular parameters to characterize the N-15 enriched radical in the electronic states involved have been determined for the first time.