Laboratory observation of the 3P1-3P0 transition of the neutral carbon atom by submillimeter-wave absorption spectroscopy

The 3P1-3P0 transitions of the neutral C-12 and C-13 atoms are observed by laboratory microwave spectroscopy. The carbon atom is produced by discharging a gaseous mixture of CO and He at the liquid nitrogen temperature. The transition frequency is precisely determined for (C-12)T to be 492160.651 + or - 0.055 MHz, where the error is three standard deviations in the frequency measurements. Two hyperfine components, F = 3/2-1/2 and F = 1/2-1/2, are observed for (C-13)I at 492164.276 + or - 0.072 MHz and 492160.147 + or - 0.168 MHz, respectively. The precise laboratory values are recommended as rest frequencies in astronomical observations.