The ultra-violet spectrum of magnesium hydride.—II. The many-lined γ-system
During the course of investigation of the bands at λλ 5622, 5211 and 4845, emitted by the magnesium arc in hydrogen at low pressures, Prof. A. Fowler observed that they were always accompanied by a further band at λ 2430 and by series of double lines in the region λ 2940 to λ 3100. These features of this spectrum seemed to merit further study in view of the important part played by the spectra of other molecules with 13 electrons (CN, BO, BeF, CO + , N 2 + ) in the classification of molecular energy levels. Further, MgH is one of the interesting series of hydrides (BeH, MgH, CaH, ZnH, CdH, HgH) which show a pair of excited P states, with doublet separation increasing with molecular weight, closely resembling the lowest 2 P state of the preceding monovalent atoms (Li, Na, K, Cu, Ag, Au). An account of an analysis of the band at λ 2430 was given in a previous paper; the present paper deals with the series of double lines. For convenience the system in the visible region is referred to as the α-system, the one represented by the band at λ 2430 as the β-system, and that about to be described as the γ-system.