Molecular diatomic spectroscopy data

TL;DR

This paper reviews and proposes strategies for integrating and updating diatomic molecular spectroscopic data from various sources to improve its accessibility and utility across scientific fields.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of diatomic spectroscopic data types, sources, and interconnectivity, along with practical advice for data producers and users to enhance data integration.

Findings

Existing data are scattered and not routinely updated.

Compilation of molecular constants has not been recent since 1979.

Strategies are proposed to improve data connection and updating processes.

Abstract

Accurate and comprehensive diatomic molecular spectroscopic data have long been vital in a wide variety of applications for measuring and monitoring astrophysical, industrial and other gaseous environments. These data are also used extensively for benchmarking quantum chemistry and applications from quantum computers, ultracold chemistry and the search for physics beyond the standard model. Useful data can be highly detailed like line lists or summative like molecular constants, and obtained from theory, experiment or a combination. There are plentiful (though not yet sufficient) data available, but these data are often scattered. For example, molecular constants have not been compiled since 1979 despite the existing compilation still being cited more than 200 times annually. Further, the data are interconnected but updates in one type of data are not yet routinely applied to update interconnected data: in particular, new experimental and ab-initio data are not routinely unified with other data on the molecule. This paper provide information and strategies to strengthen the connection between data producers (e.g. ab-initio electronic structure theorists and experimental spectroscopists), data modellers (e.g. line list creators and others who connect data on one aspect of the molecule to the full energetic and spectroscopic description) and data users (astronomers, chemical physicists etc). All major data types are described including their source, use, compilation and interconnectivity. Explicit advice is provided for theoretical and experimental data producers, data modellers and data users to facilitate optimal use of new data with appropriate attribution.