The effect of centrifugal distortion on CO2-laser frequencies

An analysis of the effects of higher order centrifugal distortion terms on C¹²O2¹⁶-laser frequencies is presented. This analysis, coupled with recent high-accuracy measurements of C¹²O2¹⁶-laser beat frequencies by Petersen et al. at the National Bureau of Standards, points out the weakness of existing frequency tables for high lines. Expected values for both and centrifugal distortion coefficients are calculated, and values for which these terms become important are discussed.