High-resolution ro-vibrational and rotational spectroscopy of the open-shell, linear CCH$^+$ ion ($^3\Pi$)

TL;DR

This study presents high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of CCH$^+$, providing detailed spectroscopic data that supports its detection in space and aids future astronomical searches.

Contribution

The paper offers the first high-resolution infrared spectrum of CCH$^+$ and derives precise spectroscopic constants for its ground and excited vibrational states.

Findings

Spectroscopic descriptions of CCH$^+$ ground and vibrationally excited states were obtained.

All rotational transitions from J''=2 to 6 in the lowest energy component were observed.

The data facilitated the first space detection of CCH$^+$ in the Orion Bar region.

Abstract

In this work, we report on the high-resolution infrared spectrum of CCH$^+$ ($^3\Pi$) recorded in the range $3066-3184$~cm$^{-1}$ by means of leak-out spectroscopy. This spectral range covers the fundamental of the CH stretching mode and a highly excited bending vibrational mode. Based on this data (385 ro-vibrational lines), accurate spectroscopic descriptions of the ground and the two vibrationally excited states of CCH$^+$ were obtained. Besides the band origins, spin-orbit coupling constants, rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants and $\Lambda$-doubling constants for the ground and excited vibrational states have been derived. This effective Hamiltonian analysis allowed a search for pure rotational lines of CCH$^+$ in its electronic and vibrational ground state using a two-color millimeterwave - infrared scheme. We observed all rotational transitions from $J^{\prime\prime} = 2$ up to $J^{\prime\prime} = 6$ within the $\Omega = 2$ lowest energy fine structure component with resolved hyperfine splittings. This data has already guided the first detection of CCH$^+$ in space toward the Orion Bar photo-dissociation region, and has the potential to support further astronomical searches for CCH$^+$ either through radio or infrared spectroscopy, for example with the James Webb Space Telescope.