Excitation energies of strontium mono-hydroxide bands measured in flames

Abstract

Experiments are described to yield more decisive information about the excitation energies of visible strontium monohydroxide bands appearing in flames. Excitation energy differences are derived directly from the ratio of thermal band intensities measured as a function of temperature. Absolute excitation energies are derived from the temperature dependence of the ratio of thermal band to strontium line intensity, while assuming a value for the dissociation energy of SrOH. Flames with temperatures ranging from 1907 to 2886 K were used. A level diagram is proposed for the strontium bands at 6060, 6470, 6690, and 6820 Å. From the results obtained, two conclusions may be drawn: (i) the bands considered are non-resonance bands and (ii) the uncertainty in the excitation energy as a result of the unknown molecular configuration is 0·25 eV.