title: Communication: spectroscopic measurements for HfF+ of relevance to the investigation of fundamental constants.
abstract: The properties of the HfF(+) cation are thought to be well-suited for investigations of the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) and temporal variations of the fine structure constant. Precision spectroscopic measurements involving the X(1)Σ(+) and low-lying (3)Δ(1) states have been proposed to measure both. Due to the lack of data for HfF(+), the design of these experiments has relied entirely on the predictions of electronic structure calculations. Spectroscopic characterizations of the X(1)Σ(+), (3)Δ(1), (3)Δ(2) and (3)Δ(3) states are reported. The results further support the contention that HfF(+) is a viable candidate for eEDM measurements. The spacings between adjacent X(1)Σ(+) and (3)Δ(1) levels are found to be less favorable for the proposed studies of the fine structure constant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Beau J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Ivan O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Antonov
authors.forename: Vladimir E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Bondybey
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Heaven