DIRECT SPECTROSCOPIC DETECTION OF A' (5)SIGMA(G)(+) STATE OF N2

The A' 5SIGMA(g)+ state of N2 was detected for the first time in a direct measurement, using a high-resolution laser absorption technique within the C'' 5PI(u)<--A' 5SIGMA(g)+ (v=0<--v''=0) band. Evidence is given that the quintet state was created by means of an energy pooling reaction from the A 3SIGMA(u)+ state in a pure nitrogen pulsed discharge. From the absolute density measurements of the quintet A' state and its precursor triplet A state, the upper limit for the destruction rate coefficient of the A' 5SIGMA state by a ground state molecular nitrogen was estimated to be 7 x 10(-12) cm3 molecule-1 s-1.