The B2Σ+ → A2Πi system of silicon nitride,SiN

The 440-nm violet-degraded ${}^2\text{Σ →}{}^2\text{Π}$ bands of SiN, which were previously assigned to a $\text{“K” → A}$ system, have been reanalyzed. These bands are shown to be Δv = 0, ±1 sequence bands of the B²Σ⁺ → A²Π system of SiN. The first reliable value of T_e(A²Π) = 994.4(1) cm^?1 has been obtained, and this determines the location of the D²Π and L²Π states with respect to the ground state. The B²Σ⁺, v = 7 and D²Π, v = 3 levels are shown to be mutually perturbing. A detailed study has been made of the perturbed X²Σ⁺, v = 8 level. The 6–8 band of the B → X system has been photographed at high resolution. A deperturbation of this band confirms T_e(A²Π), and provides the first experimental verification of the inverted nature of the A state.