Fine and hyperfine interactions in CrN and MoN

Pure rotational transitions of 52Cr14N and 98Mo14N radicals in their X 4Σ− state were recorded using a pump/probe microwave-optical double resonance (PPMODR) technique from which the hyperfine parameters of 14N (I=1) were precisely determined. In addition, the (0,0) A 4Π–X 4Σ band system of 53CrN was recorded from which the hyperfine parameters of 53Cr (I=32) were determined. The newly determined hyperfine interactions for 53Cr and 14N in CrN and 14N in MoN and the previously determined hyperfine interactions for other early transition metal mononitrides were analyzed using a simple, single configurational, model. The improved set of fine structure parameters for the CrN and MoN are discussed in terms of possible electronic state distributions.