Abstract
We study the CN radical using optical heterodyne magnetic rotation enhanced concentration modulation spectroscopy in the visible region. The radical has been produced in the ac glow discharge of acetonitrile with helium as the carrier gas. The (5, 0) band of the red system A2ΠI - X2Σ+ in the range 17 450-17 830 cm-1 has been observed and rotationally analysed. We determine a set of precise molecular constants for the v = 5 vibrational level of CN in the A2ΠI state.