Observation of the c3Πu-X1Σg+ intersystem transition in the absorption spectrum of P2

The observation of the c³Π_u-X¹Σ_g⁺ intersystem transition of P₂ is reported. The 6-0 band of the system was identified on high resolution absorption plates teken on the NRC 10-m vacuum spectrograph at Ottawa. A rotational analysis of the band is given together with that of the adjacent 5-0 band of the C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system, the upper level of which is involved in a mutual perturbation with the c³Π_u, v = 6 level. The interaction parameters for the perturbation are derived. It is proposed that the appearance of the 6-0 band of the c³Π_u-X¹Σ_g⁺ transition is due to intensity borrowing from the strong, allowed C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system. Accurate values for the energies of the c³Π_u, b³Π_g, and a³Σ_u⁺ states relative to the ground state are given. The analysis of two other bands, 2-0 and 7-0, of the C¹Σ_u⁺-X¹Σ_g⁺ system whose upper levels likewise interact strongly with the c³Π_u state are also given.