A variety of experiments employing infrared-microwave sideband laser sources in the carbon monoxide and the carbon dioxide laser regions will be carried out by Dr. Schwendeman. The sources will be used to record high-resolution (Doppler-free as well as Doppler-limited) fundamental and hot-band vibration-rotation spectra of gaseous samples. Substances to be investigated include molecules of interest in atmospheric, astrophysical, or far-infrared laser studies (i.e., hydrocarbons with small or zero permanent dipole moments and van der Waals dimers). These studies will focus on obtaining accurate structural information and energy transfer rates. The spectroscopic research program continues to develop new laser experimental methods that can be used to probe more accurately the structures of gaseous molecules. Important molecular parameters will be determined and new experimental techniques that can be used by other laboratories will be developed.
