A NEW 2.0-6.0 GHz CHIRPED PULSE FOURIER TRANSFORM MICROWAVE SPECTROMETER: INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS AND INITIAL MOLECULAR RESULTS

Low frequency microwave spectroscopy ($<$ 10 GHz) is ideal for studies of large molecular systems including higher order molecular complexes. The cold rotational temperature of a pulsed jet makes detections in this region highly attractive for these larger molecular systems with small rotational constants. Here, we report on the construction and initial benchmarking results for a new 2.0-6.0 GHz CP-FTMW spectrometer, similar in design to the 2.0-8.0 GHz spectrometer designed in Brooks Pate’s group at the University of Virginiafootnote{C. Perez, S. Lobsiger, N. A. Seifert, D. P. Zaleski, B. Temelso, G. C. Shields, Z. Kisiel, B. H. Pate, Chem. Phys. Lett., textbf{2013}, textit{571}, 1-15.}, that takes advantage of numerous improvements in solid-state microwave devices and high-speed digitizers.\_x000d_ _x000d_ In addition to details and analysis of the new instrumental design, comparisons to the previous generation 7.5-18.0 GHz spectrometer at the University of Alberta will be presented using the microwave spectrum of methyl lactate as a benchmark. Finally, initial results for several novel molecular systems studied using this new spectrometer, including the tetramer of 2-fluoroethanol, will be presented. _x000d