Rotationally resolved electronic spectroscopy of a nonlinear carbon chain radical C6H4

Rotationally resolved electronic spectrum of the origin band in the 2A″-X2A″ transition of a nonlinear carbon chain radical C₆H₄⁺ has been recorded in the 604 nm region using cw cavity ring down spectroscopy. The radical was produced by a discharge through an acetylene-helium mixture in a supersonic planar expansion. The rotational structure has been analysed and precisely determined. A band having a-type prolate rotational structure has also been observed near 581 nm. By considering the results of ab initio calculations this band is assigned to a transition involving the excitation of the ν₁₂ fundamental in the upper 2A″ electronic state of the same C₆H₄⁺ isomer.