Metal oxides are important constituents of circumstellar gas, as the recent detections of AlO, TiO, and TiO2 in VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa) have demonstrated. One oxide of interest for astrochemistry is KO, particularly since atomic lines of potassium have been observed in VY CMa. KO is somewhat problematic however, as its ground electronic state is uncertain. The ground state is either 2Πi (as for LiO and NaO) or 2Σ+ (as for RbO and CsO), both of which are predicted to lie close in energy for KO. We have conducted millimeter-wave direct absorption spectroscopy of KO. This species was synthesized via the reaction of potassium vapor, generated by a Broida-type oven, with nitrous oxide. We have found patterns that we have identified as the Ω = 3/2 and 1/2 ladders of a 2Πi state, as well as a 2Σ+ state. Rotational and fine structure constants have been accurately determined assuming the 2Π and 2Σ assignments. Astronomical observations are underway.

Millimeter-wave spectroscopy of KO: Metal oxides relevant to astrochemistry

256th National Meeting (2018)

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