Chlorine B 3(0u +) state lifetimes have been measured by laser-induced fluorescence in several predissociated (v = 14-19, 21) and non-predissociated (v = 5-12) levels. Trial and error Franck-Condon calculations have been performed to check the nature and position of the predissociating state. The results have been used to give a value of Re for the A 3(1u) state responsible for predissociation, Re = 2.48 ± 0.01 angstrom. The obtained data show that interference effects due to crossing between B and A states modify the lifetimes of the B state appreciably. The inadequacy of the low-lying vibrational levels region, i.e. v < 8, to measure the radiative lifetime of the B state (R(B)) is shown. Previous values for R(B) can therefore be affected by considerable errors
