EMISSION BAND SPECTRA OF NITROGEN: A STUDY OF SOME SINGLET SYSTEMS

Abstract

Ten bands of Gaydon's and Herman's singlet systems and eight new bands have been photographed under high resolution and analyzed in detail. Two of the new transitions were shown to be [Formula: see text], the upper state being in one case identical with Watson's and Koontz's state g, and one new transition to be 1Δg—ω1Δu in type. It is proposed that the new state 1Δg has the same electron configuration as the [Formula: see text] state. Two bands in the red and one band in the ultraviolet could not be assigned with certainty. Local perturbations in the [Formula: see text] state were observed and shown to be caused by the ν = 1 level of the [Formula: see text] state. Observed pecularities in the rotational structure of most of the upper states are proposed to be indicative of a transition from case b′ to d′ coupling. In some cases pronounced decreases in branch intensities were observed, indicating predissociations probably caused by "forbidden" intercombination processes. Identification of the electronic structure of the higher singlet states in terms of Rydberg orbitals is discussed. Rotational and vibrational constants and excitation energies are presented.