Rotational spectroscopy probes transitions between molecular rotation quantum states. In the simple linear rigid rotor, line spacing determines a moment of inertia, while an isotope shift of a linear rotor tests the mass dependence. More general molecular geometry requires several principal moments of inertia and more complicated assignments. The combination makes spectra sensitive fingerprints of both composition and shape.
Articles by others on the same topic
Rotational spectroscopy is a technique used to study the rotational motions of molecules by measuring the electromagnetic radiation they emit or absorb, particularly in the microwave region of the spectrum. This method provides detailed information about the molecular structure, including bond lengths and angles, as well as the moments of inertia of the molecules. The fundamental principle behind rotational spectroscopy is based on the fact that molecules can rotate about their axes and that these rotational transitions correspond to specific energy levels.