Predissociative decay of the c′4 1Σu+, v = 0 state of N2

In a laser spectroscopic study the lifetime of the c′4 1Σu+, v = 0 state is determined at τ = 535 ± 100 ps and a predissociation fraction of 28−18+30% is inferred. For the b′ 1Σu+, v = 0 state τ = 630 ± 100 ps is found, which means that this state cannot mediate the predissociation of the c′4(0) state. For the c3 1Πu, v = 0 state τ = 70 ± 5 ps and the predissociation fraction of 90% provides an explanation for the increased predissociation at higher rotational levels of the c′4 1Σu+, v = 0 state.