Argon matrix Raman spectra of the oxygen fluoride free radical

The argon matrix Raman spectra of oxygen difluoride and oxygen-18 difluoride at 16°K have been observed; frequencies within one wavenumber of analogous infrared studies were measured. Laser photo-detachment of fluorine atoms has provided significant yields of the OF and 18OF free radicals; the Raman observations confirm the earlier infrared work. Temperature cycling operations and depolarization ratio measurements provide aid in identifying new chemical species and making vibrational assignments.