The bond length of VAr+

Rotational analysis of the B 5Π1–X 5Σ+ electronic transition in isolated VAr+ has been performed. The zero-point level of the ground-state of the ion is found to have a bond length of r0=2.64±0.02 Å and a binding energy of D0″=2982±10 cm−1 with respect to ground-state atomic fragments. The excited (B 5Π1) state of the ion is significantly more repulsive than the ground state and is found to have an r0=2.91±0.02 Å, and a diabatic dissociation energy of D0′=1361±10 cm−1. The vibrational structure of the excited state shows frequency and anharmonicity of ωe′=90.4 cm−1, and ωexe′=1.56 cm−1, respectively, and a rotation–vibration coupling constant of αe=(2.06±0.05)×10−3 cm−1.