14N Quadrupole Coupling Constants in N2O by High-Resolution Microwave Spectroscopy

The J=1←0 microwave transition of 14N2O has been investigated under high resolution. Analysis of the hyperfine structure has given the values of the quadrupole coupling constants of the two nitrogen nuclei, viz., χend=−0.792±0.005 MHz and χcentral=−0.238±0.005 MHz. Spin—rotation energy terms were included, and with the assumption that the spin—rotation constants of the two nuclei were identical, a value of M=−0.003±0.001 MHz was obtained for the spin—rotation constant. These results have been interpreted in terms of other molecular properties.