Direct measurement of the fundamental rotational transitions of the OH radical by laser sideband spectroscopy

The direct (zero-field) spectra of the fundamental rotational transitions of the OH radical in its Omega = 3/2 and 1/2 states at 2509.9 and 1834.7 GHz are obtained using a recently developed far-infrared laser sideband spectrometer. These measurements have verified and refined the predictions of previous laser magnetic resonance work, thereby confirming the far-infrared detection of interstellar OH. The increased accuracy of these direct measurements will be useful to future astronomical and atmospheric studies of these important transitions.