FIRST OBSERVATION OF THE V=3 LEVEL OF THE B-(1)SIGMA(+) RYDBERG STATE OF CO

A new diffuse vuv band of 12C16O at 92 800 cm -1 has been observed in absorption and assigned to the B-X(3-0) transition. The assignment is based on the excellent agreement found between the observed band and a calculated spectrum of the B-X(3-0) transition, where a previously optimized two channel close-coupling model of the B 1Σ+ -D′ 1Σ+ Rydberg-valence predissociation interaction has been used to calculate the B(υ = 3) state molecular constants, J dependent predissociation widths and the J dependent B-X(3-0) vibronic transition moments. The relative absorption cross-section for this transition has also been calculated. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.