Recent Advances on Rotational Spectroscopy and Microwave Spectroscopic Techniques

Rotational spectroscopy is a branch of fundamental science to study the rotational spectra of molecules, free radicals and ions based on the quantum mechanics. It has great applications on many fields such as radio astronomy and atmospheric remote sensing. In this paper we reviewed the basic theory of rotational spectroscopy, two different types of Fourier transform microwave spectrometers, spectroscopic analysis of certain typical cases, and future prospect of the microwave spectroscopic techniques as well.

Graphical abstractFourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectrometers are the main tools to study the rotational spectra of molecules, free radicals and ions. The Balle-Flygare type FTMW spectrometer invented in the early 1980s was endowed with high resolution and sensitivity in spite of its narrow scan bandwidth and complicated microwave circuit.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide