Abstract

High resolution Doppler-free laser techniques are used in beam experiments to improve the spectroscopic description of complex diatomic molecules. The case of TiO is considered here for its implication in reaction dynamics studies and its interest in Astrophysics. Two absorption bands in the visible have been analyzed: B3Π−X3 Δ(1−0) and c1Φ−a1 Δ(0−0). Owing to accurate wavenumber measurements, it has been possible to extend the analysis to high rotational quantum numbers and to carry out detailed spectroscopic calculations. They show that a careful revisiting of the TiO electronic structure is necessary.