Submillimeter spectroscopy of H$_2$C$^{17}$O and a revisit of the rotational spectra of H$_2$C$^{18}$O and H$_2$C$^{16}$O

TL;DR

This study reports new submillimeter spectral measurements of formaldehyde isotopologues, improving spectroscopic parameters and hyperfine structure data for H$_2$C$^{17}$O, H$_2$C$^{18}$O, and H$_2$C$^{16}$O, aiding molecular identification in space.

Contribution

The paper provides new high-frequency spectral data and refined spectroscopic parameters for multiple formaldehyde isotopologues, including hyperfine structure details.

Findings

Extended spectral data for H$_2$C$^{17}$O, H$_2$C$^{18}$O, and H$_2$C$^{16}$O.

Improved spectroscopic parameters with hyperfine structure information.

Enhanced molecular data for astrophysical observations.

Abstract

The rotational spectrum of the formaldehyde isotopologue H$_2$C$^{17}$O was investigated between 0.56 and 1.50 THz using a sample of natural isotopic composition. In addition, transition frequencies were determined for H$_2$C$^{18}$O and H$_2$C$^{16}$O between 1.37 and 1.50 THz. The data were combined with critically evaluated literature data to derive improved sets of spectroscopic parameters which include $^{17}$O or H nuclear hyperfine structure parameters.