EXTENSION OF THE VACUUM-ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM OF BF.

Author Institution: Division of Pure Physics, National Research Council of CanadaThe electronic absorption spectrum of BF has been investigated between 850 and $2000{\AA}$. Two strong Rydberg series which approach limits at $1115{\AA}$ and $1095{\AA}$ have been found. These correspond to $(v' = 0, v'' = 0)$ and $(v' = 1, v'' = 0)$ progressions in the $(np \pi)$ series up to $n = 15$ and 18, respectively. The $(ns \sigma)$ and $(np \sigma)$ series have been observed up to $n = 6$ and 9, respectively. The first ionization potential is determined to be $89650 \pm 30 cm^{-1} (11.115 \pm 0.004 eV)$. All of the observed electronic states can be assigned to Rydberg series, such that a semi-quantitative analysis of interaction between Rydberg states can be made