Radiative lifetimes of spin forbidden a1Δ → X3Σ- and spin allowed A3Π → X3Σ- transitions and complete basis set extrapolated ab initio potential energy curves for the ground and excited states of CH-.

The spin forbidden transition a(1)Δ → X(3)Σ(-) in CH(-) has been studied using the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian for a large number of geometries. This transition acquires intensity through spin-orbit coupling with singlet and triplet Π states. The transition moment matrix including more than one singlet and triplet Π states was calculated at the multi-reference configuration interaction/aug-cc-pV6Z level of theory. The computed radiative lifetime of 5.63 s is in good agreement with the experimental (5.9 s) and other theoretical (6.14 s) results. Transition moment values of the spin allowed A(3)Π → X(3)Σ(-) transition have also been calculated at the same level of theory. Calculations show that the corresponding radiative lifetime is considerably low, 2.4 × 10(-7) s. Complete basis set extrapolated potential energy curves for the ground state of CH and the ground state and six low lying excited states (a(1)Δ, b(1)Σ(+), two (3)Π, and two (1)Π) of CH(-) are reported. These curves are then used to calculate the vibrational bound states for CH and CH(-). The computed electron affinity of CH supports the electron affinity bounds reported by Okumura et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 85, 1971 (1986)].