INFRARED LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF THE LINEAR $C_{13}$ CARBON CLUSTER

Author Institution: Department of Chemistry, University of California; Department of Chemistry, Kyung Hee Universal; Department of Chemistry, University of CaliforniaThe infrared absorption spectrum of the linear $C_{13}$ pure carbon cluster was observed using supersonic cluster beam/diode laser spectrometer. Seventy-six rovibrational transitions of an antisymmetric stretching fundamental were observed between $188.1 cm^{-1}$ and. $1809.7 cm^{-1}$. A nonlinear least squares fit of the observed frequencies and ground and upper state combination differences lead to following molecular parameters $(cm^{-1})$: \[ B^{\prime} = .0047324(6) B^{\prime} = .0047218(6)_{0}=1968.96399(7) \] This represents the first definitive structural characterization of a carbon cluster in the intermediate size range between $C_{10}$ and $C_{20}$. The observation of a linear carbon cluster in this size range is in apparent conflict with theoretical calculation, which predict they should exist as planar monocyclic rings