For beginners and specialists in other fields: the Nobel Laureate's introduction to atomic spectra and their relationship to atomic structures, stressing basics in a physical, rather than mathematical, treatment. 80 illustrations.

"Authoritative and clearly written."—Applied Optics The direct observation of short-lived free radicals and the consequent study of their structure and reactions have led to important developments in almost every branch of chemistry as well as in other areas. This volume by a Nobel laureate offers an excellent introduction to the essentials of molecular spectroscopy. The introductory chapter discusses experimental methods and illustrates the observed spectra of various molecules and free radicals. Subsequent chapters explore rotational, vibrational, and electronic energy levels of diatomic molecules and ions; radiative transitions; linear and nonlinear polyatomic radicals and ions; continuous and diffuse spectra; predissociation and pre-ionization; and recombination. The well-illustrated text features more than 100 figures and spectra. A distilled version of the author's monumental three-volume study, Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure, it constitutes a superb resource for anyone wishing a concise but complete treatment of the fundamentals of molecular spectroscopy.

“I have endeavoured to give a presentation which is readable by the beginner in the field and also will be useful to those who do or want to do research work in this field. In order to assist the former, I have frequently made use of small type for those sections that are not necessary for an understanding of the fundamentals. For the benefit of those working in the field, numerous references to original papers have been included. “A satisfactory presentation of molecular spectra and molecular structure is nowadays not possible without treating thoroughly, apart from the empirical results, the theoretical background also. Therefore, I have included as much of the theory of molecular spectra as is possible without going into the more difficult mathematical details. A large number of diagrams, graphical representations of eigenfunctions and potential curves, as well as energy level diagrams, serve to illustrate and to explain the theory. On the other hand, I have added numerous carefully selected spectrograms of bands and band systems (some of which have been taken specially for this purpose) in order to give an accurate idea of the experimental material that forms the basis of the developments.

The definitive text on the rotational spectroscopy of diatomic molecules.

A wide-ranging review of modern techniques in atomic and molecular spectroscopy. A brief description of atomic and molecular structure is followed by the relevant energy structure expressions. A discussion of radiative properties and the origin of spectra leads into coverage of X-ray and photoelectron spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, and radiofrequency and microwave techniques. The treatment of laser spectroscopy investigates various tunable sources and a wide range of techniques characterized by high sensitivity and high resolution. Throughout this book, the relation between fundamental and applied aspects is shown, in particular by descriptions of applications to chemical analysis, photochemistry, surface characterisation, environmental and medical diagnostics, remote sensing and astrophysics.

Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy deals with the use of group theory in quantum mechanics in relation to problems in molecular spectroscopy. It discusses the use of the molecular symmetry group, whose elements consist of permutations of identical nuclei with or without inversion. After reviewing the permutation groups, inversion operation, point groups, and representation of groups, the book describes the use of representations for labeling molecular energy. The text explains an approximate time independent Schrödinger equation for a molecule, as well as the effect of a nuclear permutation or the inversion of E* on such equation. The book also examines the expression for the complete molecular Hamiltonian and the several groups of operations commuting with the Hamiltonian. The energy levels of the Hamiltonian can then be symmetrically labeled by the investigator using the irreducible representations of these groups. The text explains the two techniques to change coordinates in a Schrödinger equation, namely, (1) by using a diatomic molecule in the rovibronic Schrödinger equation, and (2) by a rigid nonlinear polyatomic molecule. The book also explains that using true symmetry, basis symmetry, near symmetry, and near quantum numbers, the investigator can label molecular energy levels. The text can benefit students of molecular spectroscopy, academicians, and investigators of molecular chemistry or quantum mechanics.