Microwave spectroscopy in oxford: The first decade part I: Microwave gas spectroscopy

A brief account is given of the main developments in microwave spectroscopy in Oxford in the years commencing 1945. The first experiments were made on the inversion spectrum of ammonia gas at pressures ranging from several atmospheres down to 10−5atmospheres, to examine the effects of collision broadening on line shape. Rotational structure and saturation effects were observed at low pressures. A brief outline is given of later developments in the field, including the invention of the maser.